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-4. 


THE    PRAIRIE 


BY      J  .      FENIMORE      COOPER 


Mark  hie  condition  and  the  event,  then 
Tell  me  if  this  be  a  brother. Tempttt. 


COMPLETE   IN    ONE    VOLUME. 


NEW    EDITION. 


NEW    YORK: 
STRINGER      AND      TOWNSEND. 

1856. 


ih 

•  -. ;  \>: 


THE    PRAIRIE. 


Eastern  District  of  Pennsylvania,  to  wit: 
*********  BE  IT  REMEMBERED,  That  on  the  seventh 
*  T  q  *  day  of  February,  in  the  fifty-first  year  of  the  Indepen- 
a>  $  dence  of  the  United  States  of  America,  A.  D.  1827. 
*********  11  (^  CAREY  &  I.  LEA,  of  the  said  district,  have 
deposited  in  this  office,  the  title  of  a  book,  the  right  whereof 
they  claim  as  proprietors,  in  the  words  following,  to  wit : 

"The  Prairie;  a  Tale,  by  the  author  of  the  Pioneers  and 
the  Last  of  the  Mohicans. 

"  Mark  his  condition  and  the  event ;  then 
Tell  me  if  this  be  a  brother."—  Tempest. 

In  conformity  to  the  act  of  the  Congress  of  the  United  States, 
entitled,  "  An  Act  for  the  encouragement  of  learning,  by  se 
curing  the  copies  of  maps,  charts,  and  books,  to  the  authors  and 
proprietors  ofsuch  copies,  during  the  times  therein  mentioned." 
And  also  to  the  Act,  entitled,  "An  Act  supplementary  to  an 
Act,  entitled,  *  An  Act  for  the  encouragement  of  learning,  by 
securing  the  copies  of  maps,  charts,  and  books,  to  the  authors 
and  proprietors  of  such  copies,  during  the  times  therein  men 
tioned,'  and  extending  the  benefits  thereof  to  the  arts  of  de- 
figning,  engraving,  and  etching  historical  and  other  prints." 
D  C ALDWELL,  Clerk  of  the 

Eastern  District  nf  Pennsylvania. 


PREFACE. 


THE  manner  in  which  the  writer  of  this 
book  came  into  possession  of  most  of  its 
materials,  is  mentioned  in  the  work  itself. 
Any  well  bred  reader  will  readily  conceive 
that  there  may  exist  a  thousand  reasons, 
why  he  should  not  reveal  any  more  of  his 
private  sources  of  information.  He  will 
only  say,  on  his  own  responsibility,  that 
the  portions  of  the  tale  for  which  no 
authorities  are  given,  are  quite  as  true  as 
those  which  are  not  destitute  of  this 
peculiar  advantage,  and  that  all  may  be 
believed  alike. 


THE   PRAIRIE. 


Eastern  District  of  Pennsylvania,  to  wit: 
*********        BE  IT  REMEMBERED,  That  on  the  seventh 
I  T    G  *  day  of  February,  in  the  fifty-first  year  of  the  Indepcn- 
t  t  dence  of  the  United  States  of  America,  A.  D.  1827. 

*********  H.  C.  CAREY  &  I.  LEA,  of  the  said  district,  have 
deposited  in  this  office,  the  title  of  a  book,  the  right  whereof 
they  claim  as  proprietors,  in  the  words  following,  to  wit : 

"  The  Prairie;  a  Tale,  by  the  author  of  the  Pioneers  and 
the  Last  of  the  Mohicans. 

"  Mark  his  condition  and  the  event ;  then 
Tell  me  if  this  be  a  brother."—  Tempest. 

In  conformity  to  the  act  of  the  Congress  of  the  United  States, 
entitled,  "  An  Act  for  the  encouragement  of  learning,  by  se 
curing  the  copies  of  maps,  charts,  and  books,  to  the  authors  and 
proprietors  of  such  copies,  during  the  times  therein  mentioned." 
Ana  also  to  the  Act,  entitled,  "An  Act  supplementary  to  an 
Act,  entitled,  *  An  Act  for  the  encouragement  of  learning,  by 
securing  the  copies  of  maps,  charts,  and  books,  to  the  authors 
and  proprietors  of  such  copies,  during  the  times  therein  men 
tioned,'  and  extending  the  benefits  thereof  to  the  arts  of  de- 
flgning,  engraving,  and  etching  historical  and  other  prints." 
D  CALDWELL,  Clerk  of  the 

Eastern  District  of  Pennsylvania. 


PREFACE. 


THE  manner  in  which  the  writer  of  this 
book  came  into  possession  of  most  of  its 
materials,  is  mentioned  in  the  work  itself. 
Any  well  bred  reader  will  readily  conceive 
that  there  may  exist  a  thousand  reasons, 
why  he  should  not  reveal  any  more  of  his 
private  sources  of  information.  He  will 
only  say,  on  his  own  responsibility,  that 
the  portions  of  the  tale  for  which  no 
authorities  are  given,  are  quite  as  true  as 
those  which  are  not  destitute  of  this 
peculiar  advantage,  and  that  all  may  be 
believed  alike. 


viii  PREFACE. 

There  is,  however,  to  be  found  in  the 
following  pages  an  occasional  departure 
from  strict  historical  veracity,  which  it 
may  be  well  to  mention.  In  the  endless 
confusion  of  names,  customs,  opinions, 
and  languages,  which  exists  among  the 
tribes  of  the  west,  the  Author  has  paid 
much  more  attention  to  sound  and  con 
venience  than  to  literal  truth.  He  has 
uniformly  called  the  Great  Spirit,  for 
instance,  the  Wahcondah,  though  he  was 
not  ignorant  that  there  were  different 
names  for  that  Being  among  the  nations 
he  has  introduced.  So,  in  other  matters 
he  has  rather  adhered  to  simplicity, 
than  sought  to  make  his  narrative  strict 
ly  correct  at  the  expense  of  all  order  and 
clearness.  It  was  enough  for  his  purpose 
that  the  picture  should  possess  the  gen 
eral  features  of  the  original :  in  the  shad 
ing,  attitude,  and  disposition  of  the 


PREFACE.  IX 

figures,  a  little  liberty  has  been  taken. 
Even  this  brief  explanation  would  have 
been  spared,  did  not  the  Author  know 
that  there  is  a  certain  class  of  learned 
Thebans  who  are  just  as  fit  to  read  a 
work  of  the  imagination,  as  they  are 
qualified  to  write  one. 

It  may  be  necessary  to  meet  much 
graver  and  less  easily  explained  objec 
tions,  in  the  minds  of  a  far  higher  class 
of  readers.  The  introduction  of  one  and 
the  same  character,  as  a  principal  ac 
tor  in  no  less  than  three  books,  and 
the  selection  of  a  comparative  desert, 
which  is  aided  by  no  historical  recollec 
tions,  and  embellished  by  few  or  no  poet 
ical  associations,  for  the  scene  of  a 
legend,  in  these  times  of  perilous  adven 
ture  in  works  of  this  description,  may 
need  more  vindication.  If  the  first  objec 
tion  can  be  removed,  the  latter  must  fall 


X  PREFACE. 

of  course,  as  it  would  become  the  duty 
of  a  faithful  chronicler  to  follow  his  hero 
wherever  he  might  choose  to  go. 

It  is  quite  probable  that  the  narrator 
of  these  simple  events  has  deceived  him 
self  as  to  the  importance  they  may  have 
in  the  eyes  of  other  people.  But  he  has 
seen,  or  thought  he  has  seen,  something 
sufficiently  instructive  and  touching  in 
the  life  of  a  veteran  of  the  forest,  who, 
having  commenced  his  career  near  the 
Atlantic,  had  been  driven  by  the  increas 
ing  and  unparalleled  advance  of  popula 
tion,  to  seek  a  final  refuge  against  soci 
ety  in  the  broad  and  tenantless  plains  of 
the  west,  to  induce  him  to  hazard  the 
experiment  of  publication.  That  the 
changes  which  might  have  driven  a  man 
so  constituted  to  such  an  expedient  have 
actually  occurred  within  a  single  life,  is  a 
matter  of  undeniable  history;  that  they 


PREFACE.  XI 

did  produce  such  an  effect  on  the  Scout 
of  the  Mohicans,  the  Leatherstocking  of 
the  Pioneers,  and  the  Trapper  of  the 
Prairie,  rests  on  an  authority  no  less  im 
posing  than  those  veritable  pages,  from 
which  the  reader  shall  no  longer  be  de 
tained,  if  he  still  be  disposed  to  peruse 
them,  after  this  frank  avowal  of  the  pov 
erty  of  their  contents. 


THE  PRAIRIE. 


CHAPTER  I. 

»*  I  pray  thee,  shepherd,  if  that  love,  or  gold 
Can  in  this  desert  place  buy  entertainment, 
Brine  us  where  we  may  rest  ourselves  and  feed." 

As  you  like  H. 

MUCH  was  said  and  written,  at  the  time,  concerning 
the  policy  of  adding  the  vast  regions  of  Louisiana,  to 
the,  already,  immense  and  but  half-tenanted  territo 
ries  of  the  United  States.  As  the  warmth  of  contro 
versy,  however,  subsided,  and  personal  considerations 
gave  place  to  more  liberal  views,  the  wisdom  of  the 
measure  began  to  be,  generally,  conceded.  It  soon 
became  apparent  to  the  meanest  capacity,  that,  while 
nature  had  placed  a  barrier  of  desert  to  the  extension 
of  our  population  in  the  west,  the  measure  had  made 
us  the  masters  of  a  belt  of  fertile  country,  which,  in 
the  revolutions  of  the  day,  might  have  become  the 
property  of  a  rival  nation.  It  gave  us  the  sole  com 
mand  of  the  great  thoroughfare  ol"  the  interior,  and 
placed  the  coiintlessjtribfrff  of  savages,  who  l?y  along 
our  bordersT  entirely,  within  our  control ;  it  jrejcoji- 
"ciled  conflicting  rights,  andjpu5edjpa,tional  distrusts , 
jt  Openejl  ^thousand  avenues  to  thjRJnjandtraijIg^nd 
.to  the  waters  of  the.  Pacific ;  and,  if  ever  time  or  ne 
cessity  should  require  a  peaceful  division  of  this  vast 
empire,  it  assures  us  of  a  neighbour  that  would  pos 
sess  our  language,  our  religion,  our  institutions,  and 
it  is  also  to  be  hoped,  our  sense  of  political  justice. 

Although  the  purchase  was  made  inl  803,  the  spring 
of  the  succeeding  year  was  permitted  to  open,  before 
the  official  prudence  of  the  Spaniard,  who  held  the 
province  for  his  European  master,  admitted  the  au- 
thoritv  or  even  of  the  entrance,  of  its  new  proprie- 
B 


14  THE    PRAIRIE. 

tois.  But  the  'forms  of  the  transfer  were  no  sooner 
completed,  and  the  Pew  government  acknowledged, 
than  swarms  of  that  restless  people,  which  is  ever 
found  hovcnng  on  the  skirts  of  American  society, 
plunged  into  the  thickets  that  fringed  the  right  bank 
of  the  Mississippi,  with  the  same  careless  hardihood, 
as  had,  already,  sustained  so  many  of  them  in  their 
toilsome  progress  from  the  atlantic  states,  to  the  east 
ern  shores  of  the  "  father  of  rivers." 

Time  was  necessary  to  blend  the  numerous  and 
affluent  colonists  of  the  lower  province  with  their 
new  compatriots ;  but  the  sparser  and  more  humble 
population,  above,  was  almost  immediately  swallow 
ed  in  the  vortex  which  attended  -the  tide  of  instant 
emigration.  The  inroad  from  the  east  was  a  new  and 
sudden  out-breaking  of  a  people,  who  had  endured  a 
momentary  restraint,  after  having  been  rendered, 
nearly,  resistless  by  success.  The  toils  and  hazards 
of  former  undertakings  were  forgotten,  as  these  end 
less  and  unexplored  regions,  with  all  their  fancied  as 
well  as  real  advantages,  were  laid  open  to  their  enter 
prise.  The  consequences  were  such  as  might  easily 
have  been  anticipated,  from  so  tempting  an  offering, 
placed,  as  it  was  before  the  eyes  of  a  race  long  train 
ed  in  adventure  and  nurtured  in  difficulties. 

Thousands  of  the  elders,  of  what  were  then  called 
the  New  States,  broke  up  from  the  enjoyment  of  their 
hard  earned  indulgencies,  and  were  to  be  seen  leading 
long  files  of  descendants,  born  and  reared  in  the  for 
ests  of  Ohio  and  Kentucky,  deeper  into  the  land,  in 
quest  of  that  which  might  be  termed,  without  the  aid 
of  poetry,  their  natural  and  more  congenial  atmos 
phere.  The  distinguished  and  resolute  forester  who 
first  penetrated  the  wilds  of  the  latter  state,  was  of 
the  number.  This  adventurous  and  venerable  patri 
arch  was  now  seen  making  his  last  remove ;  placing 
the  "  endless  river"  between  him  and  the  multitude, 
his  own  success  had  drawn  around  him,  and  seeking 


, 


THE   PKAIRIE.  15 

for  the  renewal  of  enjoyments  which  were  rendered 
worthless  in  his  eyes,  when  trammelled  by  the  forms  of 
human  institutions. 

In  the  pursuit  of  adventures,  such  as  these,  men  are 
ordinarily  governed  by  their  previous  habits  or  deluded, 
by  their  secret  wishes.  A  few,  led  by  the  phantoms 
of  hope,  and,  ambitious  of  sudden  affluence,  sought 
the  mines  of  the  virgin  territory;  but  by  far  the 
greater  portion  of  the  emigrants  were  satisfied  to  estab 
lish  themselves  along  the  margins  of  the  larger  water 
courses,  content  with  the  rich  returns  that  the  gen 
erous,  alluvial  bottoms  of  the  rivers  never  fail  to  be 
stow  on  the  most  desultory  industry.  In  this  manner 
were  communities  formed  with  magical  rapidity ;  and 
most  of  those  who  witnessed  the  purchase  of  the  empty 
empire,  have  lived  to  see  already  a  populous  and  sov 
ereign  state,  parcelled  from  its  inhabitants,  and  re 
ceived  into  the  bosom  of  the  national  confederacy,  on 
terms  of  political  equality. 

The  incidents  and  scenes  which  are  connected  with 
our  present  legend,  occurred  in  the  earliest  periods  of 
the  enterprises  which  have  led  to  so  great  and  so  speedy 
a  result. 

The  harvest  of  the  first  year  of  our  possession  had 
long  been  passed,  and  the  fading  foliage  of  a  few  scat 
tering  trees  was,  already,  beginning  to  exhibit  the  hues 
and  tints  of  autumn,  when  a  train  of  wagons  issued 
from  the  bed  of  a  dry  rivulet,  to  pursue  its  course 
across  the  undulating  surface,  of  what,  in  the  language 
of  the  country  of  which  we  write,  is  called  a  "  rolling 
prairie."  The  vehicles,  loaded  with  household  goods 
and  implements  of  husbandry,  the  few  straggling  sheep 
and  black  cattle  that  were  herded  in  the  rear,  and  the 
rugged  appearance  and  careless  mien  of  the  sturdy 
men  who  loitered  at  the  sides  of  the  lingering  teams, 
united  to  announce  a  band  of  emigrants  seeking  for 
the  Eldorado  of  their  desires.  Contrary  to  the  usual 
practice  of  the  men  of  their  caste,  this  party  had  left 


16  THE    PRAIRIE. 

the  fertile  bottoms  of  the  low  country,  and  had  found 
its  way,  by  means  only  known  to  such  adventurers, 
across  glen  and  torrent,  over  deep  morasses  and  arid 
wastes,  to  a  point  far  beyond  the  usual  limits  of  civil 
ized  habitations.  In  their  front  were  stretched  those 
broad  plains,  which  extend,  with  so  little  diversity  of 
character,  to  the  bases  of  the  Rocky  Mountains ;  and 
many  long  and  dreary  miles  in  their  rear,  foamed  the 
swift  and  turbid  waters  of  La  Platte. 

The  appearance  of  such  a  train,  in  that  bleak  and 
solitary  place,  was  rendered  the  more  remarkable  by 
the  fact,  that  the  surrounding  country  offered  so  little, 
that  was  tempting  to  the  cupidity  of  speculation,  and, 
if  possible,  still  less  that  was  flattering  to  the  hopes 
of  an  ordinary  settler  of  new  lands. 

The  meagre  herbage  of  the  prairie,  promised 
nothing,  in  favour  of  a  hard  and  unyielding  soil,  over 
which  the  wheels  of  the  vehicles  rattled  as  lightly  as 
though  they  travelled  on  a  beaten  road ;  neither  wag 
ons  nor  beasts  making  any  deeper  impression,  than  to 
mark  that  bruised  and  withered  grass,  which  the  cat 
tle  plucked,  from  time  to  time,  and  as  often  rejected, 
as  food  too  sour,  for  even  their  hunger  to  render 
palatable. 

Whatever  might  be  the  final  destination  of  these 
adventurers,  or  the  secret  causes  of  their  apparent 
security  in  so  remote  and  unprotected  a  situation, 
there  was  no  visible  sign  of  uneasiness  or  alarm  be 
trayed  in  the  countenance  or  the  deportment  of  any 
among  them.  Including  both  sexes,  and  every  age, 
the  number  of  the  party  exceeded  twenty. 

At  some  little  distance  in  front  of  the  whole,  march 
ed  the  individual,  who,  both  by  his  position  and  air, 
appeared  to  be  the  leader  of  the  band.  He  was  a 
tall,  sun-burnt,  man,  past  the  middle  age,  whose  dull 
countenance  and  listless  manner  denoted  any  other 
emotion  than  that  of  compunction  for  the  past  or 
anxiety  for  the  future.  His  frame  appeared  loose  and 


THE    PRAIRIE.  17 

flexible ;  but  it  was  vast,  and  in  reality  of  prodigious 
power.  It  was,  only  at  moments,  however,  as  some 
slight  impediment  opposed  itself  to  his  loitering  pro 
gress,  that  his  person,  which,  in  its  ordinary  gait  seem 
ed  so  lounging  and  nerveless,  displayed  any  of  those 
energies,  which  lay  latent  in  his  system,  like  the  slum 
bering  and  unwieldy,  but  terrible,  strength  of  the  ele 
phant.  The  inferior  lineaments  of  his  countenance 
were  coarse,  extended  and  vacant ;  while  the  supe 
rior,  or  those  nobler  parts  which  are  thought  to  affect 
the  intellectual  being,  were  low,  receding  and  mean. 

The  dress  of  this  individual  was  a  mixture  of  the 
coarsest  vestments  of  a  husbandman  with  the  leathern 
garments,  that  fashion  as  well  as  use,  had  in  some  de 
gree  rendered  necessary  to  one  engaged  in  his  present 
pursuits.  There  was,  however,  a  singular  and  wild 
display  of  prodigal  and  ill  judged  ornaments,  blend 
ed  with  his  motley  attire.  In  place  of  the  usual  deer 
skin  belt,  he  wore  around  his  body  a  tarnished  silken 
sash  of  the  most  gaudy  colours  ;  the  buck-horn  haft 
of  his  knife  was  profusely  decorated  with  plates  of 
silver ;  the  martin's  fur  of  his  cap  was  of  a  fineness 
and  shadowing  that  a  queen  might  covet ;  the  buttons 
of  his  rude  and  soiled  blanket-coat  were  of  the  glit 
tering  coinage  of  Mexico  ;  the  stock  of  his  rifle  was 
of  beautiful  mahogany,  riveted  and  banded  with  the 
same  precious  metal,  and  the  trinkets  of  no  less  than 
three  worthless  watches  dangled  from  different  parts 
of  his  person.  In  addition  to  the  pack  and  the  rifle 
which  were  slung  at  his  back,  together  with  the  well 
filled,  and  carefully  guarded  pouch  and  horn,  he  had 
carelessly  cast  a  keen  and  bright  wood-axe  across  his 
shoulder,  sustaining  the  weight  of  the  whole  with  as 
much  apparent  ease,  as  though  he  moved,  unfettered 
in  his  limbs,  and  free  from  the  smallest  incumbrance. 

A  short  distance  in  the  rear  of  this  man,  came  a 
groupe  of  youths  very  similarly  attired,  and  bearing 
sufficient  resemblance  to  each  other,  and  to  their  lead, 
B  2 


18  "CHE    PRAIRIE. 

er,  to  distinguish  them  as  the  children  of  one  family. 
Though  the  youngest  of  their  number  could  not  much 
have  passed  the  period,  that,  in  the  nicer  judgment 
of  the  law  is  called  the  age  of  discretion,  he  had  prov 
ed  himself  so  far  worthy  of  his  progenitors  as  to  have 
reared  already  his  aspiring  person  to  the  standard 
height  of  his  race.  There  were  one  or  two  others, 
of  different  mould,  whose  descriptions  must  however 
be  referred  to  the  regular  course  of  the  narrative. 

Of  the  females,  there  were  but  two  who  had  ar 
rived  at  womanhood ;  though  several  white-headed, 
olive-skin'd  faces  were  peering  out  of  the  foremost 
wagon  of  the  train,  with  eyes  of  lively  curiosity  and 
characteristic  animation.  The  elder  of  the  two 
adults,  was  the  sallow  and  wrinkled  mother  of  most  of 
the  party,  and  the  younger  was  a  sprightly,  active, 
girl,  of  eighteen,  who  in  figure,  dress  and  mien  seem 
ed  to  belong  to  a  station  in  society  several  gradations 
above  that  of  any  one  of  her  visible  associates.  The 
second  vehicle  was  covered  with  a  top  of  cloth  so 
tightly  drawn,  as  to  conceal  its  contents,  with  the 
nicest  care.  The  remaining  wagons,  were  loaded, 
with  nothing  more  valuable  than  such  rude  furni 
ture  and  other  personal  effects,  as  might  be  supposed 
to  belong  to  one,  ready  at  any  moment,  to  change  his 
abode,  without  reference  to  season  or  distance. 

Perhaps  there  was  little  in  this  train,  or  in  the  ap» 
pearance  of  its  proprietors,  that  is  not  daily  to  be  en 
countered  on  the  highways  of  our  changeable  and 
moving  country.  But  the  solitary  and  peculiar  scene 
ry  in  which  it  was  so  unexpectedly  exhibited,  gave  to 
the  party  a  marked  character  of  wildness  and  adven 
ture. 

In  the  little  vallies,  which,  in  the  regular  formation 
of  the  land,  occurred  at  every  mile  of  their  progress, 
the  view  was  bounded,  on  two  of  the  sides,  by  the 
gradual  and  low  elevations,  which  give  name  to  that 
description  of  prairie,  we  have  mentioned ;  while  on 


THE    PRAIRIE.  19 

the  others,  the  meagre  prospect  ran  off  in  long,  narrow, 
barren  perspectives,  but  slightly  relieved  by  a  pitiful 
show  of  coarse,  though,  somewhat,  luxuriant  vegeta 
tion.  From  the  summits  of  the  swells,  the  eye  be 
came  fatigued  with  the  sameness  and  chilling  dreari 
ness  of  the  landscape.  *f  he  earth  was  not  unlike  the 
Ocean,  when  its  restless  waters  are  heaving  heavily 
after  the  agitation  and  fury  of  the  tempest  have  begun 
to  lessen.  There  was  the  same  waving  and  regular 
surface,  the  same  absence  of  foreign  objects,  and  the 
same  boundless  extent  to  the  view.  Indeed  so  very 
striking  was  the  resemblance  between  the  water  and 
the  land,  that,  however  much  the  geologist  might 
sneer  at  so  simple  a  theory,  it  would  have  been  diffi 
cult  for  a  poet  not  to  have  felt,  that  the  formation  of 
the  one  had  been  produced  by  the  subsiding  domin 
ion  of  the  other.  Here  and  there  a  tall  tree  rose  out 
of  the  bottoms,  stretching  its  naked  branches  abroad, 
like  some  solitary  vessel ;  and,  to  strengthen  the  de 
lusion,  far  in  the  utmost  distance,  appeared  two  or 
three  rounded  thickets,  looming  in  the  misty  horizon 
like  islands  resting  on  the  bosom  of  the  waters.  It 
is  unnecessary  to  warn  the  practised  reader,  that  the 
sameness  of  the  surface,  and  the  low  stands  of  the 
spectators  exaggerated  the  distances;  but  still,  as  swell 
appeared  after  swell,  and  island  succeeded  island, 
there  was  a  disheartening  assurance  that  long,  and 
seemingly  interminable,  tracts  of  territory  must  be 
passed,  before  the  wishes  of  the  humblest  agricultu 
rist  could  be  realized. 

Still,  the  leader  of  the  emigrants  steadily  pursued 
his  way,  with  no  other  guide  than  the  sun,  turning  his 
back  resolutely  on  the  abodes  of  civilization,  and 
plunging,  at  each  step,  more  deeply  if  not  irretrieva 
bly,  into  the  haunts  of  the  barbarous  and  savage  oc 
cupants  of  the  country.  As  the  day  drew  nigher  to 
a  close,  however,  his  mind,  which  was,  perhaps,  inca 
pable  of  maturing  any  connected  system  of  fore- 


20  THE    PRAIRIE. 

thought  beyond  that  which  related  to  the  interests  of 
the  present  moment,  became,  in  some  slight  degree, 
troubled  with  the  care  of  providing  for  the  wants  of 
the  coming  hours  of  darkness. 

On  reaching  the  crest  of  a  swell  that  was  a  little 
higher  than  the  usual  elevations,  he  lingered  a  min 
ute,  and  cast  a  half  curious  eye,  on  either  hand,  in 
quest  of  those  well  known  signs,  which  might  indicate 
a  place,  where  the  three  grand  requisites  of.  water, 
fuel  and  fodder  were  to  be  obtained  in  conjunction. 

It  would  seem  that  his  search  was  fruitless  ;  for  af 
ter  a  few  moments  of  indolent  and  listless  examina 
tion,  he  suffered  his  huge  frame,  to  descend  the  gentle 
declivity,  in  the  same  sluggish  manner  that  an  over 
fatted  beast  would  have  yielded  to  the  downward 
pressure. 

His  example  was  silently  followed  by  those  who 
succeeded  him,  though  not  until  the  young  men  had 
manifested  much  more  of  interest,  if  not  of  concern 
in  the  brief  inquiry,  which  each,  in  his  turn,  made  on 
gaining  the  same  look-out.  It  was  now  evident  by 
the  tardy  movements  both  of  beasts  and  men,  that  the 
time  of  necessary  rest,  was  not  far  distant.  The  mat 
ted  grass  of  the  lower  land,  presented  obstacles  which 
fatigue  began  to  render  formidable,  and  the  whip  was 
becoming  necessary  to  urge  the  lingering  teams  to 
their  labour.  At  this  moment,  when,  with  the  excep 
tion  of  the  principal  individual,  a  general  lassitude 
was  getting  the  mastery  of  the  travellers,  and  every 
eye  was  cast,  by  a  sort  of  common  impulse,  wistfully 
forward,  the  whole  party  was  brought  to  a  halt,  by  a 
spectacle,  as  sudden  as  it  was  unexpected. 

The  sun  had  fallen  below  the  crest  of  the  nearest 
wave  of  the  prairie  leaving  the  usual,  rich  and  glow 
ing,  train  on  its  track.  In  the  centre  of  this  flood  of 
fiery  light,  a  human  form  appeared,  drawn  against  the 
gilded  background,  as  distinctly,  and,  seemingly  as 
palpable,  as  though  it  would  come  within  the  grasp 


THE    PRAIRIE.  21 

of  any  extended  hand.  The  figure  was  colossal ;  the 
attitude  musing  and  melancholy,  and  the  situation  di 
rectly  in  the  route  of  the  travellers.  But  imbedded, 
as  it  was,  in  its  setting  of  garish  light,  it  was  impossi 
ble  to  distinguish  more  concerning  its  proportions  or 
character. 

The  effect  of  such  a  spectacle  was  instantaneous 
and  powerful.  The  man  in  front  of  the  emigrants 
came  to  a  stand,  and  remained  gazing  at  the  mysteri 
ous  object,  with  a  dull  interest,  that  soon  quickened 
into  a  species  of  superstitious  awe.  His  sons,  so  soon 
as  the  first  emotions  of  surprise  had  a  little  abated, 
drew,  slowly,  around  him,  and,  as  they  who  governed 
the  teams,  gradually,  followed  their  example,  the 
whole  party  was  soon  condensed  in  one,  silent,  and 
wondering  groupe.  Notwithstanding  the  impression 
of  a  supernatural  agency  was  very  general  among  the 
travellers,  the  ticking  of  gun-locks  was  heard,  and  one 
or  two  of  the  bolder  of  the  youths  cast  their  rifles 
forward,  in  guarded  readiness  for  any  service. 

"  Send  the  boys  off  to  the  right,"  exclaimed  the 
resolute  wife  and  mother,  in  a  sharp,  dissonant  voice, 
44 1  warrant  me,  Asa,  or  Abner  will  give  some  account 
of  the  creatur !" 

"  It  may  be  well  enough,  to  try  the  rifle,"  mutter 
ed  a  dull  looking  man,  whose  features  both  in  outline 
and  expression,  bore  no  small  resemblance,  to  the 
first  speaker,  and  who  loosened  the  stock  of  his  piece 
and  brought  it  dexterously  to  the  front,  while  deliv 
ering  this  decided  opinion ;  "  the  Pawnee  Loups  are 
said  to  be  hunting  by  hundreds  in  the  plains ;  if  so, 
they'll  never  miss  a  single  man  from  their  tribe." 

"Stay!"  exclaimed  a  soft  toned,  but  fearfully 
alarmed  female  voice,  which  was  easily  to  be  traced 
to  the  trembling  lips  of  the  younger  of  the  two  wo 
men  ;  "  we  are  not  all,  together ;  it  may  be  a  friend !" 

"Who  is  scouting,  now?"  demanded  the  father, 
scanning,  at  the  same  time,  the  cluster  of  his  stout 


22  THE    PRAIRIE. 

sons,  with  a  displeased  and  sullen  eye.  "  Put  by  th« 
piece,  put  by  the  piece ;"  he  continued,  diverting  the 
other's  aim,  with  the  finger  of  a  giant,  and  with  the 
air  of  one  it  might  be  dangerous  to  deny.  "  My  job 
is  not  yet  ended ;  let  us  finish  the  little  that  remains, 
in  peace." 

The  man,  who  had  manifested  so  hostile  an  inten 
tion,  appeared  to  understand  the  other's  allusion,  and 
suffered  himself  to  be  diverted  from  his  object.  The 
sons  turned  their  inquiring  looks,  on  the  girl,  who 
had  so  eagerly  spoken,  to  require  an  explanation ; 
but,  as  if  content  with  the  respite  she  had  obtained 
for  the  stranger,  she  had  already  sunk  back,  in  her 
seat,  and  now  chose  to  affect  a  maidenly  silence. 

In  the  mean  time,  the  hues  of  the  heavens  had 
often  changed.  In  place  of  the  brightness,  which 
had  dazzled  the  eye,  a  gray  and  more  sober  light  had 
succeeded,  and  as  the  setting  lost  its  brilliancy,  the 
proportions  of  the  fanciful  form  became  less  exag 
gerated,  and  finally  quite  distinct.  Ashamed  to  hesi 
tate,  now,  that  the  truth  was  no  longer  doubtful,  the 
leader  of  the  party  resumed  his  journey,  using  the 

Erecaution,  as  he  ascended  the  slight  acclivity,  to  re- 
iase  his  own  rifle  from  the  strap,  and  to  cast  it  into 
a  situation  more  convenient  for  sudden  use. 

There  was  little  apparent  necessity,  however,  for 
such  watchfulness.  From  the  moment  when  it  had 
thus  unaccountably  appeared,  as  it  were,  between  the 
heavens  and  the  earth,  the  stranger's  figure  had 
neither  moved  nor  given  the  smallest  evidence  of 
hostility.  Had  he  harboured  any  such  evil  intention, 
the  individual  who  now  came  plainly  into  view,  seem 
ed  but  little  qualified  to  execute  them. 

A  frame  that  had  endured  the  hardships  of  more 
than  eighty  seasons  was  not  qualified  to  awaken  ap 
prehension,  in  the  breast  of  one  as  powerful  as  the 
emigrant.  Notwithstanding  his  years,  and  his  look 
of  emaciation  if  not  of  suffering,  there  was  that  about 


THE    PRAIRIE.  23 

this  solitary  being,  however,  which  said  that  time, 
and  not  disease,  had  laid  his  hand  too  heavily  on  him. 
His  form,  had  withered,  but  it  was  not  wasted.  The 
sinews  and  muscles,  which  had  once  denoted  great 
strength,  though  shrunken,  were  still  visible ;  and  his 
whole  figure  had  attained  an  appearance  of  indura 
tion,  which,  if  it  were  not  for  the  well  known  frailty 
of  humanity,  would  have  seemed  to  bid  defiance  to 
the  further  approaches  of  decay.  His  dress  was 
chiefly  of  skins,  worn  with  the  hair  to  the  weather ; 
a  pouch  and  horn  were  suspended  from  his  shoulders ; 
and  he  leaned  on  a  rifle  of  uncommon  length,  but 
which  like  its  owner,  exhibited  the  wear  of  long  and 
hard  service. 

As  the  party  drew  nigher  to  this  solitary  being,  and 
came  within  a  distance  to  be  heard,  a  low  growl  issu 
ed  from  the  grass  at  his  feet,  and  then,  a  tall,  gaunt, 
toothless,  hound,  arose  lazily  from  his  lair,  and  shak 
ing  himself  made  some  show  of  resisting  the  nearer 
approach  of  the  travellers. 

"Down,  Hector,  down;"  said  his  master,  in  a 
voice,  that  was  a  little  tremulous  and  hollow  with 
age.  "  What  have  ye  to  do,  pup,  with  men  who  jour 
ney  on  their  lawful  callings." 

"Stranger,  if  you  ar'  much  acquainted  in  this 
country,"  said  the  leader  of  the  emigrants,  "  can 
ou  tell  a  traveller  where  he  may  find  necessaries 
or  the  night." 

"  Is  the  land  filled  on  the  other  side  of  the  Big 
River  ?"  demanded  the  old  man,  solemnly,  and  with 
out  appearing  to  hearken  to  the  other's  question  ;  "  or 
why  do  I  see  a  sight,  I  had  never  thought  to  behold 
again !" 

"  Why,  there  is  country  left,  it  is  true,  for  such  as 
have  money,  and  ar'  not  particular  in  the  choice," 
returned  the  emigrant ;  "  but  to  my  taste,  it  is  getting 
crowdy.  What  may  a  man  call  the  distance,  from 
this  place  to  the  nighest  point  on  the  main  river." 


24  THE    PRAIRIE. 

"  A  hunted  deer  could  not  cool  his  sides,  in  the 
Mississippi,  without  travelling  a  long  five  hundred 
miles." 

"And  in  what  way  may  you  name  the  district, 
hereaway  ?" 

"  By  what  name,"  returned  the  old  man,  pointing 
significantly  upward,  "would  you  call  the  spot,  where 
you  see  yonder  cloud  ?" 

The  emigrant  looked  at  the  other,  like  one  who 
did  not  comprehend  his  meaning  and  who  half  sus 
pected  he  was  trifled  with,  but  he  contented  himself 
by  saying — 

"  You  ar'  but  a  new  inhabitant,  like  myself,  I  reck 
on,  stranger,  otherwise  you  wouldVt  be  backward 
in  helping  a  traveller  to  some  advice ;  which  costs 
but  little,  seeing  it  is  only  a  gift  in  words." 

"  It  is  not  a  gift,  but  a  debt  that  the  old  owe  to  the 
young.  What  would  you  wish  to  know  ?" 

"  Where  I  may  'camp  for  the  night.  Pm  no  great 
difficulty  maker,  as  to  bed  and  board,  but,  all  old 
journeyers,  like  myself,  know  the  virtue  of  sweet 
water,  and  a  good  browse  for  the  cattle." 

"  Come  then  with  me,  and  you  shall  be  master  of 
both ;  and  little  more  is  it  that  I  can  offer  on  this 
hungry  prairie." 

As  the  old  man  was  speaking,  he  raised  his  heavy 
rifle  to  his  shoulder,  with  a  facility  a  little  remarka 
ble  for  his  years  and  appearance,  and  without  further 
words  led  the  way  over  J  ^e  icciivity  into  the  adja 
cent  bottom. 


THE    PRAIRIE.  25 


CHAPTER  II. 

*  Up  with  my  tent :  here  will  I  lie  to  night , 
But  where,  to-morrow  ? — Well,  all's  one  for  that." 
Richard  the  Third. 

THE  travellers  soon  discovered  the  usual  and  un 
erring  evidences,  that  the  several  articles  necessary 
to  their  situation  were  not  far  distant.  A  clear  and 
gurgling  spring  burst  out  of  the  side  of  the  declivity, 
and  joining  its  waters  to  those  of  other  similar  little 
fountains,  in  its  vicinity,  their  united  contributions 
formed  a  run,  which  was  easily  to  be  traced  for  miles, 
along  the  prairie,  by  the  scattering  foliage  and  ver 
dure  which  occasionally  grew  within  the  influence  of 
its  moisture.  Hither,  then,  the  stranger  held  his  way, 
eagerly  followed  by  the  willing  teams,  whose  instinct 
gave  them  a  prescience  of  refreshment  and  of  rest 
from  labour. 

On  reaching  what  he  deemed  a  suitable  spot,  the 
old  man  halted,  and  with  an  inquiring  look,  he  seem 
ed  to  demand  if  it  possessed  the  needful  convenien 
ces.  The  leader  of  the  emigrants  cast  his  eyes,  un- 
derstandingly,  about  him,  and  examined  the  place 
with  the  keenness  of  one  competent  to  judge  of  so 
nice  a  question,  though  in  that  dilatory  and  heavy 
manner,  which  rarely  permitted  him  to  betray  any 
unmanly  precipitation. 

"  Ay,  this  may  do,"  he  said,  when  satisfied  with 
his  scrutiny ;  "  boys,  you  have  seen  the  last  of  the 
sun ;  be  stirring." 

The  young  men  manifested  a  characteristic  obedi 
ence  to  the  injunction.  The  order,  for  such,  in  tone 
and  manner  it  was,  in  truth,  was  received  with  re 
spect  ;  but  the  utmost  movement  was  the  falling  of 
an  axe  or  two  from  the  shoulder  to  the  ground,  while 
c 


26  THE    TRAIRIE. 

their  owners  continued  to  regard  the  place  with  list 
less  and  incurious  eyes.  In  the  mean  time,  the  elder 
traveller,  as  if  familiar  with  the  nature  of  the  im 
pulses  by  which  his  children  were  governed,  disen 
cumbered  himself  of  his  pack  and  rifle,  and,  assisted 
by  the  man  already  mentioned  as  disposed  to  appeal 
so  promptly  to  the  rifle,  he  quietly  proceeded  to  re 
lease  the  cattle  from  the  gears. 

At  length  the  eldest  of  the  sons  stepped  heavily 
forward,  and,  without  any  apparent  effort,  he  buried 
his  axe  to  the  eye,  in  the  soft  body  of  a  cotton-wood 
tree.  He  stood,  a  moment,  regarding  the  effect  of 
his  blow,  with  that  sort  of  contempt  with  which  a 
giant  might  be  supposed  to  contemplate  the  puny  re 
sistance  of  a  dwarf,  and  then  flourishing  the  imple 
ment  above  his  head,  with  the  grace  and  dexterity 
with  which  a  master  of  the  art  of  offence  would 
wield  his  nobler  though  less  useful  weapon,  he  quick 
ly  severed  the  trunk  of  the  tree  bringing  its  tall  top 
crashing  to  the  earth,  in  submission  to  his  prowess. 
His  companions  had  regarded  the  operation  with  in 
dolent  curiosity,  until  they  saw  the  prostrate  trunk 
stretched  along  the  ground,  when,  as  if  a  signal  for  a 
general  attack  had  been  given,  they  advanced  in  a 
body  to  the  work,  and  in  a  space  of  time,  and  with  a 
neatness  of  execution  that  would  have  astonished  an 
ignorant  spectator,  they  stripped  a  small  but  suitable 
spot  of  its  burden  of  forest,  as  effectually,  and  almost 
as  promptly,  as  if  a  whirlwind  had  passed  along  the 
place. 

The  stranger,  had  been  a  silent  but  attentive  ob 
server  of  their  progress.  As  tree  after  tree  came 
whistling  down,  he  cast  his  eyes  upward,  at  the  va 
cancies  they  left  in  the  heavens,  with  a  melancholy 
gaze,  and  finally  turned  away,  muttering  to  himself 
with  a  bitter  smile,  like  one  who  disdained  giving  a 
more  audible  utterance  to  his  discontent.  Pressing 
through  the  groupe  of  active  and  busy  children,  who 


THE   PRAIRIE.  27 

had  already  lighted  a  cheerful  fire,  the  attention  of 
the  old  man  became  next  fixed,  on  the  movements 
of  the  leader  of  the  emigrants  and  of  his  savage 
looking  assistant.  _ 

"Yhese  twcTKad,  already,  liberated  the  cattle,  which 
were  eagerly  browsing  the  grateful  and  nutritious  ex 
tremities  of  the  fallen  trees,  and  were  now  employed 
about  the  wagon,  which  has  been  described,  as  hav 
ing  its  contents  concealed  with  so  much  apparent 
care.  Notwithstanding  it  appeared  to  be  as  silent, 
and  as  tenantless  as  the  rest  of  the  vehicles,  the  men 
applied  their  strength  to  its  wheels,  and  rolled  it 
apart  from  the  others,  to  a  dry  and  elevated  spot, 
near  the  edge  of  the  thicket.  Here  they  brought 
certain  poles,  which  had,  seemingly,  been  long  em 
ployed  in  such  a  service,  and  fastening  their  larger 
ends  firmly  in  the  ground,  the  smaller  were  attached 
to  the  hoops  that  supported  the  covering  of  the 
wagon.  Large  folds  of  cloth  were  next  drawn  out 
of  the  vehicle,  and  after  being  spread  around  the 
whole,  were  pegged  to  the  earth  in  such  a  manner  as 
to  form  a  tolerably  capacious  and  exceedingly  con 
venient  tent.  After  surveying  their  work  with  in* 
quisitive,  and  perhaps  jealous  eyes,  arranging  a  fold 
here  and  driving  a  peg  more  firmly  there,  the  men 
once  more  applied  their  strength  to  the  wagon,  pull 
ing  it,  by  its  projecting  tongue,  from  the  centre  of 
the  canopy,  until  it  appeared  in  the  open  air,  depriv 
ed  of  its  covering,  and  destitute  of  any  other  freight,  . 
than  a  few  light  articles  of  furniture.  The  latter 
were  immediately  removed,  by  the  traveller,  into  the 
tent  with  his  own  hands,  as  though  to  enter  it,  were 
a  privilege,  to  which  even  his  bosom  companion  was 
not  entitled. 

As  curiosity  is  a  passion  that  is  rather  quickened 
than  destroyed  by  seclusion,  the  old  inhabitant  of  the 
prairies  did  not  view  these  precautionary  and  myste 
rious  movements,  without  experiencing  some  of  its 


. 
! 
I 
\ 
» 


28  THE    PRAIRIE. 

impulses.  He  approached  the  tent,  and,  was  about 
to  sever  two  of  its  folds,  with  the  very  ohvious  inten 
tion  of  examining,  more  closely,  into  the  nature  of 
its  contents,  when  the  man  who  had  once  already 
placed  his  life  in  jeopardy,  seized  him  by  the  arm, 
and  with  a  somewhat  rude  exercise  of  his  strength 
threw  him  from  the  spot  he  had  selected  as  the  one 
most  convenient  for  his  object. 

"  It's  an  honest  regulation,  friend,"  the  fellow,  drily 
observed,  though  with  an  eye  that  threatened  vol 
umes,  "  and  sometimes  it  is  a  safe  one,  which  says, 
mind  your  own  business." 

"  Men  seldom  bring  any  thing  to  be  concealed  into 
these  deserts,"  returned  the  old  man,  as  if  willing, 
and  yet  a  little  ignorant  how  to  apologize  for  the  lib 
erty  he  had  been  about  to  take,  "  and  I  had  hoped  no 
offence,  in  looking  into  the  place." 

"  They  seldom  bring  themselves,  I  reckon,"  the 
other  roughly  answered ;  "  this  has  the  look  of  an  old 
country,  though  to  my  eye  it  seems  not  to  be  overly 
peopled." 

"  The  land  is  as  aged  as  the  rest  of  the  works  of 
the  Lord,  1  believe ;  but  you  say  true,  concerning  its 
inhabitants.  Many  months  have  passed  since  I  have 
laid  eyes  on  a  face  of  my  own  colour,  before  your 
own.  I  say  again,  friend,  I  had  hoped,  no  harm  ;  I 
didn't  know,  whether  there  was  not,  something  be 
hind  the  cloth,  that  might  bring  former  days  to  my 
thoughts." 

As  the  stranger  ended  his  simple  explanation,  he 
walked  meekly  away,  like  one  who  felt  the  deepest 
sense  of  the  right  which  every  man  has  to  the  quiet 
enjoyment  of  his  own,  without  any  troublesome  in 
terference  on  the  part  of  his  neighbour ;  a  whole- 
some  and  just  principle  that  he  had,  also,  most  proba 
bly  imbibed  from  the  habits  of  his  secluded  life.  As 
he  passed  back,  towards  the  little  encampment  of  the 
emigrants,  for  such  the  place  had  now  become,  he 


THE    PRAIRIE.  29 

heard  the  voice  of  the  leader  calling  aloud,  in  its 
hoarse  and  authoritative  tones,  the  name  of 

"  Ellen  Wade." 

The  girl  who  has  been  already  introduced  to  the 
reader,  and  who  was  occupied  with  others  of  her  sex, 
around  the  fires,  sprang  willingly  forward,  at  this  sum 
mons,  and  passing  the  stranger  with  the  activity  of  a 
young  antelope,  she  was  instantly  lost,  behind  the 
forbidden  folds  of  the  tent.  Neither  her  sudden  dis 
appearance,  nor  any  of  the  arrangements  we  have 
mentioned,  seemed,  however,  to  excite  the  smallest 
surprise,  among  the  remainder  of  the  party.  The 
young  men  who  had  already  completed  their  tasks, 
with  the  axe,  were  all  engaged  after  their  lounging 
and  listless  manner;  some  in  bestowing  equitable 
portions  of  the  fodder,  among  the  different  animals  ; 
others  in  plying  the  heavy  pestle  of  a  moveable  hom- 
mony-mortar,  and  one  or  two,  in  wheeling  the  re 
mainder  of  the  wagons  aside  and  arranging  them,  in 
such  a  manner  as  to  form  a  sort  of  outwork  for  their, 
otherwise,  defenceless  bivouac. 

These,  several,  duties  were  soon  performed,  and, 
as  darkness,  now,  began  to  conceal  the  objects  on  the 
surrounding  prairie,  the  shrill  toned  termagant,  whose 
voice  since  the  halt  had  been  diligently  exercised 
among  her  idle  and  drowsy  offspring,  announced  in 
tones  that  might  have  been  heard  at  a  dangerous  dis 
tance,  that  the  evening  meal  waited  only  for  the  ap 
proach  of  those  who  were  to  consume  it.  What 
ever  may  be  the  other  qualities  of  a  border  man,  he 
is  seldom  deficient  in  the  virtue  of  hospitality.  The 
emigrant  no  sooner  heard  the  sharp  call  of  his  wife, 
than  he  cast  his  eyes  about  him  in  quest  of  the  stran 
ger,  in  order  to  proffer  to  him  the  place  of  distinction, 
in  the  rude  entertainment  to  which  they  were  so  un 
ceremoniously  summoned. 

"  I  thank  you,  friend,"  the  old  man  replied  to  the 
C  2 


30  THE    PRAIRIE. 

rough  invitation  to  take  a  seat  nigh  the  smoking  ket 
tle  ;  "  you  have  my  hearty  thanks. ;  but  I  have  eaten 
for  the  day,  and  I  am  not  one  of  them,  who  dig  their 
graves  with  their  teeth.  Well ;  as  you  wish  it,  I  will 
take  a  place,  for  it  is  long  sin'  I  have  seen  people  of 
my  colour,  eating  their  daily  bread." 

"  You  ar'  an  old  settler,  in  these  districts,  then," 
the  emigrant  rather  remarked  than  inquired,  with  a 
mouth  filled  nearly  to  overflowing  with  the  delicious 
hommony,  prepared  by  his  skilful,  though  repulsive 
spouse.  "  They  told  us  below,  we  should  find  settlers 
something  thinnish,  hereaway,  and  I  must  say,  the  re 
port  was  mainly  true  ;  for,  unless,  we  count  the  Can 
ada  traders  on  the  big  river,  you  ar'  the  first  white 
face  I  have  met,  in  a  good  five  hundred  miles ;  that 
is  calculating  according  to  your  own  reckoning." 

"  Though  I  have  spent  some  years,  in  this  quarter, 
I  can  hardly  be  called  a  settler,  seeing  that  I  have  no 
regular  abode,  and  seldom  pass  more  than  a  month, 
at  a  time,  on  the  same  range." 

"  A  hunter,  I  reckon  ?"  the  other  continued,  glanc 
ing  his  eyes  aside,  as  if  to  examine  the  equipments 
of  his  new  acquaintance  ;  "  your  fixen  ueem  none  of 
the  best,  for  such  a  calling." 

"  They  are  old,  and  nearly  ready  to  be  laid  aside, 
like  their  master,"  said  the  old  man,  regarding  his 
rifle,  with  a  look  in  which  affection  and  regret  were 
singularly  blended  ;  "  and  I  may  say  they  are  but  lit 
tle  needed,  too.  You  are  mistaken,  friend,  in  calling 
me  a  hunter ;  I  am  nothing  better  than  a  trapper." 

"  If  you  ar'  much  of  the  one,  I'm  bold  to  say  you 
ar'  something  of  the  other;  for  the  two  callings,  go 
mainly  together,  in  these  districts." 

"  To  the  shame  of  the  man  who  is  able  to  follow 
the  first  be  it  so  said !"  returned  the  trapper,  whom 
in  future  we  shall  choose  to  designate  by  his  pursuit ; 
•*  for  more  than  fifty  years  did  I  carry  my  rifle  in  the 


THE    PRAIRIE.  31 

wilderness,  without  so  much  as  setting  a  snare  for 
even  a  bird  that  flies  the  heavens; — much  less,  a 
beast  that  has  nothing  but  legs,  for  its  gifts." 

"  I  see  but  little  difference  whether  a  man  gets  his 
peltry  by  the  rifle  or  by  the  trap,"  said  the  ill-looking 
companion  of  the  emigrant,  in  his  rough  and  sullen 
manner.  "  The  'arth  was  made  for  his  comfort ;  and, 
for  that  matter,  so  ar1  its  creatur's." 

"  You  seem  to  have  but  little  plunder,  stranger,  for 
one  who  is  far  abroad,"  bluntly  interrupted  the  emi 
grant,  as  if  he  had  a  reason  for  wishing  to  change  the 
conversation.  "  I  hope  you  ar'  better  off  for  skins." 

"  I  make  but  little  use  of  either,"  the  trapper  quiet 
ly  replied.  "  At  my  time  of  life,  food  and  clothing 
be  all  that  is  needed,  and  I  have  little  occasion  for 
what  you  call  plunder,  unless  it  may  be,  now  and 
then,  to  barter  for  a  horn  of  powder  or  a  bar  of  lead." 

"You  ar1  not,  then,  of  these  parts,  by  natur', 
friend !"  the  emigrant  continued,  having  in  his  mind 
the  exception  which  the  other  had  taken  to  the  very 
equivocal  word,  which  he  himself,  according  to  the 
customs  of  the  country,  had  used  for  u  baggage"  or 
"effects." 

44 1  was  born  on  the  sea-shore,  though  most  of  my 
life  has  been  passed  in  the  woods." 

The  whole  party,  now  looked  up  at  him,  as  men 
are  apt  to  turn  their  eyes  on  some  unexpected  object 
of  general  interest.  One  or  two  of  the  young  men, 
repeated  the  words  "  sea-shore,"  and  the  woman  ten 
dered  him  one  of  those  civilities,  with  which,  un 
couth  as  they  were,  she  was  little  accustomed  to  grace 
her  hospitality,  as  if  in  deference  to  the  travelled  dig 
nity  of  her  guest  After  a  long,  and,  seemingly  a 
meditating  silence,  the  emigrant,  who  had,  however, 
seen  no  apparent  necessity  to  suspend  the  functions 
of  his  powers  of  mastication,  resumed  the  discourse. 

44  It  is  a  long  road,  as  I  have  heard,  from  the  waters 
of  the  west  to  the  shores  of  the  main  sea  ?" 


32  THE    PRAIRIE. 

41  It  is  a  weary  path,  indeed,  friend ;  and  mueh 
have  I  seen,  and  something  have  I  suffered  in  jour 
neying  over  it." 

"  A  man  would  see  a  good  deal  of  hard  travel  in 
going  its  length  \n 

"Seventy  and  five  years  have  I  been  upon  the 
road,  and  there  are  not  half  that  number  of  leagues 
in  the  whole  distance,  after  you  leave  the  Hudson,  on 
which  I  have  not  tasted  venison  of  my  own  killing. 
But  this  is  vain  boasting !  of  what  use  are  former 
deeds,  when  time  draws  to  an  end  !" 

"  I  once  met  a  man,  that  had  boated  on  the  river 
he  names,"  observed  one  of  the  sons,  speaking  in  a  low 
tone  of  voice,  like  one  who  distrusted  his  knowledge, 
and  deemed  it  prudent  to  assume  a  becoming  diffi 
dence  in  the  presence  of  a  man  who  had  seen  so 
much;  "  from  his  tell,  it  must  be  a  considerable  stream,, 
and  deep  enough  for  a  keel,  from  top  to  bottom." 

"  It  is  a  wide  and  deep  water-course,  and  many 
sightly  towns,  are  there  growing  on  its  banks,"  return 
ed  the  trapper ;  "  and  yet  it  is  but  a  brook,  to  the 
waters  of  the  endless  river !" 

"  I  call  nothing  a  stream,  that  a  man  can  travel 
round,"  exclaimed  the  ill-looking  associate  of  the 
emigrant ;  "  a  real  river  must  be  crossed ;.  not  head 
ed,  like  a  bear  in  a  country  hunt." 

"Have  you  been  far  towards  the  sun-down, friend?' > 
again  interrupted  the  emigrant,  as  if  he  desired  to 
keep  his  rough  companion,  as  much  as  possible  out 
of  the  discourse.  "  I  find  it  is  a  wide  tract  of  clear 
ing,  this,  into  which  I  have  fallen." 

"  You  may  travel  weeks,  and  you  will  see  it  the 
same.  I  often  think  the  Lord  has  placed  this  bar 
ren  belt  of  prairie,  behind  the  states,,  to  warn  men  to 
what  their  folly  may  yet  bring  the  land  !  Ay  [  weeka 
if  not  months,  may  you  journey  in  these  open  fields, 
in  which  there  is  neither  dwelling,  nor  habitation  for 
man  or  beast.  Even  the  savage  animals  travel  miles 


THE    PRAIRIE.  33 

on  miles  to  seek  their  dens.  And  yet  the  wind  sel 
dom  blows  from  the  east,  but  I  conceit  the  sounds  of 
axes,  and  the  crash  of  falling  trees  are  in  my  ears." 

As  the  old  man  spoke  with  the  seriousness  and  dig 
nity  that  age  seldom  fails  to  communicate,  even,  to 
less  striking  sentiments,  his  auditors  were  deeply  at 
tentive,  and  as  silent  as  the  grave.  Indeed,  the  trap 
per  was  left  to  renew  the  dialogue,  himself,  which  he 
soon  did  by  asking  a  question,  in  the  indirect  manner 
so  much  in  use  by  the  border  inhabitants. 

"  You  found  it  no  easy  matter  to  ford  the  water 
courses,  and  make  your  way  so  deep  into  the  prairies, 
friend,  with  teams  of  horses,  and  herds  of  horned 
beasts  ?" 

"  I  kept  the  left  bank  of  the  main  river,"  the  emi 
grant  replied,  "  until  I  found  the  stream  leading  too 
much  to  the  north,  when  we  rafted  ourselves  across, 
without  any  great  suffering.  The  woman  lost  a  fleece 
or  two  from  the  next  year's  shearing,  and  the  girls 
have  one  cow  less  to  their  dairy.  Since  then,  we 
have  done  bravely,  by  bridging  a  creek,  every  day 
or  two." 

"  It  is  likely  you  will  continue  west,  until  you  come 
to  land  more  suitable  for  a  settlement  ?" 

"  Until  I  see  reason  to  stop,  or  to  turn  ag'in,"  the 
emigrant  bluntly  answered,  rising  at  the  same  time, 
and  cutting  short  the  dialogue,  by  an  air  of  dissatis 
faction,  no  less  than  by  the  suddenness  of  the  move 
ment.  His  example,  was  followed  by  the  trapper,  as 
well  as  the  rest  of  the  party,  and  then,  without  much 
deference  to  the  presence  of  their  guest,  the  travel 
ers  proceeded  to  make  their  dispositions  to  pass  the 
ight.  Several  little  bowers,  or  rather  huts,  had  al 
ready  been  formed  of  the  tops  of  trees,  blankets  of 
coarse  country  manufacture,  and  the  skins  of  buffa 
loes,  united  without  much  reference  to  any  other  ob 
ject  than  temporary  comfort.  Into  these  covers  the 
children  with  their  mother  soon  drew  themselves. 


34  THE    PRAIRIE. 

and  where,  it  is  more  than  possible,  they  were  all 
speedily  lost  in  the  oblivion  of  sleep.  Before  the 
men,  however,  could  seek  their  rest,  they  had  sundry 
little  duties  to  perform ;  such  as  completing  their 
works  of  defence  ;  carefully  concealing  the  fires  ;  re 
plenishing  the  fodder  of  their  cattle,  and  setting  the 
watch  that  was  to  protect  the  party  in  the  approach 
ing  hours  of  deeper  night. 

The  former  was  effected  by  dragging  the  trunks  of 
a  few  trees,  into  the  intervals  left  by  the  wagons,- and 
along  the  open  space,  between  the  vehicles  and  the 
thicket,  on  which,  in  military  language,  the  encamp 
ment  would  be  said  to  have  rested ;  thus  forming  a 
sort  of  chevaux-de-frise  on  three  sides  of  the  posi 
tion.  Within  these  narrow  limits  (with  the  excep 
tion  of  what  the  tent  contained,)  both  man  and  beast 
were  now  collected  ;  the  latter  being  far  too  happy 
in  resting  their  weary  limbs,  to  give  any  undue  an 
noyance  to  their  scarcely  more  intelligent  associates. 
Two  of  the  young  men  took  their  rifles,  and  first  re 
newing  the  priming  and  examining  the  flints,  with  the 
utmost  care,  they  proceeded,  the  one  to  the  extreme 
right  and  the  other  to  the  left  of  the  encampment, 
where  they  posted  themselves,  within  the  shadows  of 
the  thicket,  but  in  such  positions,  as  enabled  each  to 
overlook  his  proper  portion  of  the  prairie. 

The  trapper  had  loitered  about  the  place,  declin 
ing  to  share  the  straw  of  the  emigrant,  until  the 
whole  arrangement  was  completed ;  and  then  with 
out  the  ceremony  of  an  adieu,  he  slowly  retired  from 
the  spot. 

It  was  now  in  the  first  watch  of  the  night,  and  the 
pale,  quivering,  and  deceptive  light,  from  a  new 
moon,  was  playing  over  the  endless  waves  of  the 
prairie,  tipping  the  swells  with  gleams  of  brightness, 
and  leaving  the  interval  land  in  deep  shadow.  Ac 
customed  to  scenes  of  solitude  like  the  present,  the 
old  man,  as  he  left  the  encampment  proceeded  alone 


THE    PRAIRIE.  35 

into  the  wide  waste,  like  a  bold  vessel  leaving  its  ha 
ven  to  trust  itself  on  the  trackless  field  of  the  ocean. 
He  appeared  to  move  for  some  time,  without  object, 
or  indeed,  without  anv  apparent  consciousness,  whith 
er  his  limbs  were  carrying  him.  At  length,  on  reach 
ing  the  rise  of  one  of  the  undulations,  he  came  to  a 
stand,  and  for  the  first  time,  since  leaving  the  band 
who  had  caused  such  a  flood  of  reflections  and  recol 
lections  to  crowd  upon  his  mind,  the  old  man  became 
aware  of  his  present  situation.  Throwing  one  end 
of  his  rifle  to  the  earth,  he  stood  leaning  on  the 
other,  again  lost  in  deep  contemplation  for  several 
minutes,  during  which  time  his  hound  came  and 
crouched  close  at  his  feet.  It  was  a  deep,  menacing, 
growl  from  the  faithful  animal,  that  first  aroused  him 
from  his  musing, 

u  What  now,  dog  ?"  he  said,  looking  down  at  his 
companion,  as  though  he  addressed  a  being  of  an  in 
telligence  equal  to  his  own,  and  speaking  in  a  voice 
of  great  affection,  "  What  is  it,  pup  ?  ha !  Hector ; 
what  is  it  nosing,  now  ?  It  won't  do,  dog ;  it  won't 
do  ;  the  very  fa'ns  pky  in  open  view  of  us,  without 
minding  two  such  worn  out  curs,  as  you  and  I.  In 
stinct  is  their  gift,  Hector;  and,  they  have  found  out 
how  little  we  are  to  be  feared,  now;  they  have  !" 

The  dog  stretched  his  head  upward,  and  respond 
ed  to  the  words  of  his  master  by  a  long  and  plaintive 
whine,  which  he  even  continued  after  he  had  again 
buried  his  head  in  the  grass  as  if  he  held  an  intelli 
gent  communication  with  one  who  so  well  knew  how 
to  interpret  dumb  discourse, 

"  This  is  a  manifest  warning,  Hector !"  the  trap 
per  continued,  dropping  his  voice,  to  the  tones  of 
caution  and  looking  warily  about  him,  "  What  is  it, 
pup  ;  what  is  it  f 

The  hound  had,  however,  already  kid  his  nose  to 
die  earth,  and  was  silent ;  appearing  to  slumber.  But 
the  keen  quick  glances  of  his  master,  soon  caught  a 


36  THE    PRAIRIE. 

glimpse  of  a  distant  figure,  which  seemed,  through 
the  deceptive  lightT  floating  along  the  very  elevation 
on  which  he  had  placed  himself!  Presently  its  pro 
portions  became  more  distinct,  and  then  an  airy,  fe 
male  form  appeared  to  hesitate,  as  if  considering 
whether  it  would  be  prudent  to  advance.  Though 
the  eyes  of  the  dog,  were  now  to  be  seen  glancing  in 
the  rays  of  the  moon,  opening  and  shutting  lazily,  he 
gave  no  further  signs  of  displeasure. 

"  Come  nigher ;  we  are  friends,"  said  the  trapper, 
associating  himself  with  his  companion  by  long  use., 
and,  probably,  through  the  strength  of  the  secret  tie 
that  connected  them  together ;  "  we  are  your  friends; 
none  will  harm  you." 

Encouraged  by  the  mild  tones  of  his  voice,  and 
perhaps  led  on  by  the  earnestness  of  her  purpose,  the 
female  approached,  until,  she  stood  at  his  side  ;  when 
the  old  man  perceived  his  visiter  to  be  the  young 
woman,  with  whom  the  reader,  has  already  become 
acquainted  by  the  name  of  "  Ellen  Wade." 

"  I  had  thought  you  were  gone,"  she  said,  looking 
timidly  and  anxiously  around.  "  They  said  you  were 
gone ;  and  that  we  should  never  see  you  again.  I 
did  not  think,  It  was  you  !TT 

"  Men  are  no  common  objects  in  these  empty 
fields,"  returned  the  trapper,  "  and  I  humbly  hope, 
though  I  have  so  long  consorted  with  the  beasts  of 
the  wilderness,  that  I  have  not  yet  lost  the  look  of 
my  kind." 

"  Oh  !  I  knew  you  to  be  a  manr  and  I  thought  I 
knew  the  whine  of  the  hound,  too,"  she  answered, 
hastily,  as  if  willing  to  explain  she  knew  not  what, 
and  then  checking  herself  as  though  fearful  of  hav 
ing,  already,  said  too  much. 

"  I  saw  no  dogs,  among  the  teams  of  your  father^*1 
the  trapper  dryly  remarked. 

"Father!"  exclaimed  the  girl,  feelingly,  "I  have 
no  father !  I  had  nearly  said  no  friead  "  The  old 


THE    PRAIRIE.  37 

man,  turned  towards  her,  with  a  look  of  kindness 
and  interest,  that  was  even  more  conciliating  than 
the  ordinary,  upright,  and  benevolent  expression  of 
his  weather-beaten  countenance. 

"  Why  then  do  you  venture  in  a  place  where  none 
but  the  strong  should  come  ?"  he  demanded.  "  Did 
you  not  know  that,  when  you  crossed  the  big  river, 
you  left  a  friend  behind  you  that  is  always  bound  to 
look  to  the  young  and  feeble,  like  yourself." 

"  Of  whom  do  you  speak  ?" 

"  The  law — 'tis  bad  to  have  it,  but,  I  sometimes 
think,  it  is  worse,  where  it  is  never  to  be  found.  Yes 
— yes,  the  law  is  needed,  when  such  as  have  not  the 
gifts  of  strength  and  wisdom  are  to  be  taken  care  of. 
I  hope,  young  woman,  if  you  have  no  father,  you 
have  at  least  a  brother." 

The  maiden  felt  the  tacit  reproach  conveyed  in 
this  covert  question,  and  for  a  moment  remained  in 
an  embarrassed  silence.  But  catching  a  glimpse  of 
the  mild  and  serious  features  of  her  companion,  as 
he  continued  to  gaze  on  her  with  a  look  of  interest, 
she  replied,  firmly,  and  in  a  manner  that  left  no 
doubt  she  comprehended  his  meaning : 

"  Heaven  forbid  that  any  such  as  you  have  seen, 
should  be  a  brother  of  mine  or  any  thing  else  near  or 
dear  to  me  !  But,  tell  me,  do  you  then  actually  live 
alone,  in  this  desert  district,  old  man ;  is  there  really 
none  here  besides  yourself?" 

"  There  are  hundreds,  nay,  thousands  of  the  right 
ful  owners  of  the  country,  roving  about  the  plains , 
but  few  of  our  own  colour." 

"  And  have  you  then  met  none  who  are  white,  but 
us  ?"  interrupted  the  girl,  like  one  too  impatient  to 
await  the  tardy  explanation  his  age  and  deliberation 
were  about  to  make. 

"Not  in  many  days — Hush,  Hector,  hush,"  he 
added  in  reply  to  a  low,  and  nearly  inaudible,  growl 
from  his  hound.  "  The  dog  scents  mischief  in  the 
D 


38  THE    PRAIRIE. 

wind!     The  black  bears  from  the  mountains  some 
times  make  their  way,  even  lower  than  this.     The 

?up  is  not  apt  to  complain  of  the  harmless  game. 
am  not  so  ready  and  true  with  the  piece  as  I  used- 
to-could-be,  yet  I  have  struck  even  the  fiercest  ani 
mals  of  the  prairie,  in  my  time  ;  so,  you  have  little 
reason  for  fear,  young  woman." 

The  girl,  raised  her  eyes,  in  that  peculiar  manner 
which  is  so  often  practised  by  her  sex,  when  they 
commence  their  glances,  by  examining  the  earth  at 
their  feet,  and  terminate  them  by  noting  every  thing 
within  the  power  of  human  vision  ;  but  she  rather 
manifested  the  quality  of  impatience,  than  any  feel 
ing  of  alarm. 

A  short  bark  from  the  dog,  however,  soon  gave  a 
new  direction  to  the  looks  of  both,  and  then  the  real 
object  of  his  second  warning  became  dimly  visible. 


CHAPTER  III. 

"  Come,  come,  thou  art  as  hot  a  Jack  in  thy 
mood,  as  any  in  Italy  ;  and  as  soon  mov'd  to  be 
moody,  and  as  soon  moody  to  be  moved." 

Romeo  and  Juliet. 

THOUGH  the  trapper  manifested  some  surprise 
when  he  perceived  that  another  human  figure  was  ap 
proaching  him,  and  that,  too,  from  a  direction  oppo 
site  to  the  place  where  the  emigrant  had  made  his 
encampment,  it  was  with  the  steadiness  of  one  long 
accustomed  to  scenes  of  danger. 

"  This  is  a  man,"  he  said  ;  "  and  one  who  has  white 
blood  in  his  veins,  or  his  step  would  be  lighter.  It 
will  be  well  to  be  ready  for  the  worst,  as  the  half- 
and-halfs,  that  one  meets,  in  these  distant  districts, 
are  altogether  more  barbarous  than  the  real  savage.'1 

He  raised  his  rifle  while  he  spoke,  and  assured 


THE    PRAIRIE.  39 

himself  of  the  state  of  its  flint,  as  well  as  of  the  prim 
ing  by  manual  examination.  But  his  arm  was  arrest 
ed,  while  in  the  act  of  throwing  forward  the  muz 
zle  of  the  piece,  by  the  eager  and  trembling  hands 
of  his  companion. 

"  For  God's  sake,  be  not  too  hasty,"  she  said ;  "  it 
may  be  a  friend — an  acquaintance — a  neighbour." 

"  A  friend !"  the  old  man  repeated,  deliberately 
releasing  himself,  at  the  same  time,  from  her  grasp. 
"  Friends  are  rare  in  any  land,  and  less  in  this,  per 
haps,  than  in  another ;  and  the  neighbourhood  is  too 
thinly  settled,  to  make  it  likely,  that  he  who  comes 
towards  us  is  even  an  acquaintance." 

"  But  though  a  stranger,  you  would  not  seek  his 
blood!" 

The  trapper  earnestly  regarded  her  anxious  and 
frightened  features,  a  moment,  and  then  he  dropped 
the  butt  of  his  rifle  on  the  ground,  again,  like  one 
whose  purpose  had  undergone  a  sudden  change. 

"  No,"  he  said,  speaking  rather  to  himself,  than  to 
his  timid  companion,  "  she  is  right ;  blood  is  not  to 
be  spilt,  to  save  the  life  of  one  so  useless,  and  so  near 
his  allotted  time.  Let  him  come  on  ;  my  skins,  my 
traps,  and  even  my  rifle  sjiall  be  his,  if  he  sees  fit  to 
demand  them." 

"  He  will  ask  for  neither — He  wants  neither,"  re 
turned  the  girl ;  "  if  he  be  an  honest  man,  he  will 
surely  be  content  with  his  own,  and  ask  for  nothing 
that  is  the  property  of  another." 

The  trapper  had  not  time  to  express  the  surprise 
he  felt  at  the  incoherent  and  contradictory  language 
he  heard,  for  the  man  who  was  advancing,  was,  alrea 
dy,  within  fifty  feet  of  the  place  where  they  stood. — 
In  the  mean  time,  Hector  had  not  been  an  indifferent 
witness  of  what  was  passing.  At  the  sound  of  the 
distant  footsteps,  he  had  arisen,  from  his  warm  bed  at 
the  feet  of  his  master ;  and  now,  as  the  stranger  ap 
peared  in  open  view,  he  stalked  slowly  towards  him, 


40  YHE    PRAIRIE. 

crouching  to  the  earth  like  a  panther  about  to  take 
his  leap. 

"  Call  in  your  dog,"  said  a  firm,  deep,  manly  voice, 
in  tones  of  friendship,  rather  than  of  menace ;  "  1 
love  a  hound,  and  should  be  sorry  to  do  an  injury  to 
the  animal." 

"  You  hear  what  is  said  about  you,  pup  ?"  the  trap 
per  answered  ;  "  come  hither,  fool.  His  growl  and 
his  bark  arc  all  that  is  left  him  now ;  you  may  come 
on,  friend ;  the  hound  is  toothless." 

The  stranger  instantly  profited  by  the  intelligence. 
He  sprang  eagerly  forward,  and  at  the  next  instant 
stood  at  the  side  of  Ellen  Wade.  After  assuring  him 
self  of  the  identity  of  the  latter,  by  a  hasty  but  keen 
glance,  he  turned  his  attention,  with  a  quickness  and 
impatience,  that  proved  the  interest  he  took  in  the 
result,  to  a  similar  examination  of  her  companion. 

"  From  what  cloud  have  you  fallen,  my  good  old 
man  ?"  he  said  in  a  careless,  off-hand,  needless  man 
ner  that  seemed  too  natural  to  be  assumed.  "  Or  do 
you  actually  live,  hereaway,  in  the  prairies." 

"  I  have  been  long  on  earth,  and  never  I  hope  nigh- 
er  to  heaven,  than  I  am  at  this  moment,"  returned 
the  trapper ;  "  my  dwelling,  if  dwelling  I  may  be  said 
to  have,  is  not  far  distant.  •  Now  may  I  take  the  lib 
erty  with  you,  that  you  are  so  willing  to  take  with 
others  ?  Whence  do  you  come,  and  where  is  your 
home?" 

"  Softly,  softly ;  when  I  have  done  with  my  cate 
chism,  it  will  be  time  to  begin  with  your's.  What 
sport  is  this,  you  follow  by  moonlight?  You  are  not 
dodging  the  buffaloes  at  such  an  hour  !" 

"  I  am,  as  you  see,  going  from  an  encampment  of 
travellers,  which  lies  over  yonder  swell  in  the  land, 
to  my  own  wigwam  ;  in  doing  so,  I  wrong  no  man." 

"  All  fair  and  true.  And  you  got  this  young  wo 
man  to  show  you  the  way,  because  she  knows  it  so 
well  and  you  know  so  little  about  it." 


THE    PRAIRIE.  41 

"  I  met  her,  as  I  have  met  you,  by  accident.  Forv 
ten  tiresome  years  have  I  dwelt  on  these  open  fields,! 
and  never,  before  to-night,  have  I  found  human  be-/ 
ings  with  white  skins  on  them,  at  this  hour.  If  nW 
presence  here  gives  offence,  I  am  sorry ;  and  will  gql 
my  way.  It  is  more  than  likely  that  when  your  young 
friend,  has  told  her  story,  you  will  be  better  given  to 
believe  mine." 

"  Friend  I"  said  the  youth,  lifting  a  cap  of  skins 
from  his  head,  and  running  his  fingers  leisurely 
through  a  dense  mass  of  black  and  shaggy  locks,  "  if 
I  ever  laid  eyes  on  the  girl  before  to-night,  may  I..." 

"  You've  said  enough,  Paul,"  interrupted  the  fe 
male,  laying  her  hand  on  his  mouth,  with  a  familiari 
ty,  that  gave  something  very  like  tlj£  lie  direct,  to  his 
intended  asseveration.  "  Our  secret  will  be  safe, 
with  this  honest  old  man.  I  know  it  by  his  looks, 
and  kind  words." 

"  Our  secret !  Ellen,  have  you  forgot..." 

"  Nothing.  I  have  not  forgotten  any  thing  I  should 
remember.  But  still  I  say  we  are  safe  with  this  hon 
est  trapper. 

"  Trapper !  is  he  then  a  trapper  ?  Give  me  your 
hand,  father;  our  trades  should  bring  us  acquaint 
ed." 

"  There  is  little  Call  for  handicrafts  in  this  region," 
returned  the  other,  examining  the  athletic  and  active 
form  of  the  youth,  as  he  leaned  carelessly  and  not 
ungracefully,  on  his  rifle  ;  "  the  art  of  taking  the  crea- 
tur's  of  God,  in  traps  and  nets,  is  one  that  needs 
more  cunning  than  manhood ;  and  yet  am  I  brought 
to  practise  it,  in  my  age !  But  it  would  be  quite  as 
seemly,  in  one  like  you,  to  follow  a  pursuit  better  be 
coming  your  years  and  courage." 

"  Me  !  I  never  took  even  a  slinking  mink  or  a  pad 
dling  musk-rat  in  a  cage ;  though  I  admit  having  pep 
pered  a  few  of  the  dark-skin'd  devils,  when  I  had 
much  better  have  kept  my  powder  in  the  horn  and 
D  2 


42  THE    PRAIRIE. 

the  lead  in  its  pouch.     Not  I,  old  man ;  nothing  that 
crawls  the  earth  is  for  my  sport." 

"  What  then  may  you  do  for  a  living,  friend  ;  for 
little  profit  is  to  be  made  in  these  districts,  if  a  man 
|  denies  himself  his  lawful  right  in  the  beasts  of  the 
}  fields." 

"  I  deny  myself  nothing.  If  a  bear  crosses  my  path, 
he  is  soon  no  bear.  The  deer  begin  to  nose  me ;  and 
as  for  the  buffaloe,  I  have  kill'd  more  beef,  old  stran 
ger,  than  the  largest  butcher  in  all  Kentuck." 

"You  can  shoot,  then!"  demanded  the  trapper, 
with  a  glow  of  latent  fire,  glimmering  about  his 
small,  deep-set,  eyes  ;  "  is  your  hand  true,  and  your 
look  quick  ?" 

"  The  first  is  like  a  steel  trap,  and  the  last  nimbler 
than  a  buck-shot.  I  wish  it  was  hot  noon,  now, 
grandHher ;  and  that  there  was  an  acre  or  two  of 
your  white  swans  or  of  black  feathered  ducks  going 
south,  over  our  heads ;  you  or  Ellen,  here,  might  set 
your  heart  on  the  finest  in  the  flock,  and  my  charac 
ter  against  a  horn  of  powder,  that  the  bird  would  be 
hanging  head  downwards,  in  five  minutes,  and  that 
too,  with  a  single  ball.  I  scorn  a  shot-gun  !  No  man 
can  say,  he  ever  knew  me  carry  one,  a  rod." 

"  The  lad  has  good  in  him  !  I  see  it  plainly  by  his 
manner ;"  said  the  trapper,  turning  to  Ellen  with  an 
openly,  encouraging  air ;  "  I  will  take  it  on  myself 
to  say,  that  you  are  not  unwise  in  meeting  him,  as 
you  do.  Tell  me,  lad ;  did  you  ever  strike  a  leaping 
buck  atwixt  the  antlers  ?  Hector ;  quiet,  pup  ;  quiet 
The  very  name  of  venison,  quickens  the  blood  of  the 
cur; — did  you  ever  take  an  animal  in  that  fashion, 
on  the  long  leap  ?'' 

"  You  might  just  as  well  ask  me,  did  you  ever  eat? 

There  is  no  fashion,  old  stranger,  that  a  deer  has  not 

been  touched  by  my  hand,  unless  it  was  when  asleep." 

* "  Ay,  ay ;  you  have  a  long,  and  a  happy — ay,  and 

an  honest  life  afore  you !  I  am  old,  and  I  suppose  I 


THE  PRAIRIE.  43 

might  also  say,  worn  out  and  useless  ;  but,  if  it  was 
given  me  to  choose  my  time,  and  place,  again, — as 
such  things  are  not  and  ought  not  ever  to  be  given 
to  the  will  of  man — though  if  such  a  gift  was  to  be 
given  me,  I  would  say,  twenty  and  the  wilderness! 
But,  tell  me  ;  how  do  you  part  with  the  peltry  ?" 

"  With  my  pelts !  I  never  took  a  skin  from  a  buck, 
nor  a  quill  from  a  goose,  in  my  life !  I  knock  them 
over,  now  and  then,  for  a  meal,  and  sometimes  to 
keep  my  finger  true  to  the  touch  ;  but  when  hunger 
is  satisfied,  the  prairie  wolves  get  the  remainder.  No 
— no — I  keep  to  my  calling ;  which  pays  me  better, 
than  all  the  fur  I  could  sell  on  the  other  side  of  the 
big  river." 

The  old  man  appeared  to  ponder  a  little;  but 
shaking  his  head,  he  soon  musingly  continued — 

"  I  know  of  but  one  business  that  can  be  followed 
here  with  profit — " 

He  was  interrupted  by  the  youth,  who  raised  a 
small  cup  of  tin,  which  dangled  at  his  neck  before 
the  other's  eyes,  and  springing  its  lid,  the  delicious 
odour  of  the  finest  flavoured  honey,  diffused  itself 
over  the  organs  of  the  trapper. 

"  A  bee  hunter !"  observed  the  latter,  with  a  readi 
ness  that  proved  he  understood  the  nature  of  the 
occupation,  though  not  without  some  little  surprise 
at  discovering  one  of  the  other's  spirited  mien  engag 
ed  in  so  humble  a  pursuit.  "  It  pays  well  in  the 
skirts  of  the  settlements,  but  I  should  call  it  a  doubt 
ful  trade,  in  the  open  districts." 

"  You  think  a  tree  is  wanting  for  a  swarm  to  set 
tle  in  !  But  1  know  differently;  and  so  I  have  stretch 
ed  out  a  few  hundred  miles  farther  west,  than  com 
mon,  to  taste  your  honey.  And,  now,  I  have  bated 
your  curiosity,  stranger,  you  will  just  move  aside, 
while  I  tell  the  remainder  of  my  story  to  this  young 
woman." 

"  It  is  not  necessary,  Pm  sure  it  is  not  necessary, 


44  THE    PRAIRIE. 

that  he  should  leave  us,"  said  Ellen,  with  a  haste 
that  implied  some  little  consciousness  of  the  singu 
larity  if  not  of  the  impropriety  of  the  request.  "  You 
can  have  nothing  to  say  that  the  whole  world  might 
not  hear." 

"  No  !  well,  may  I  be  stung  to  death  by  drones,  if 
I  understand  the  buzzings  of  a  woman's  mind !  For 
my  part,  Ellen,  I  care  for  nothing  nor  any  body ;  and 
am  just  as  ready  to  go  down  to  the  place  where  your 
uncle,  if  uncle  you  can  call  one,  who  I'll  swear  is  no 
relation,  has  hoppled  his  teams,  and  tell  the  old  man 
my  mind  now,  as  I  shall  be  a  year  hence.  You  have 
only  to  say  a  single  word,  and  the  thing  is  done ;  let 
him  like  it  or  not." 

"  You  are  ever  so  hasty  and  so  rash,  Paul  Hover, 
that  I  seldom  know  when  I  am  safe  with  you.  How 
can  you,  who  know  the  danger  of  our  being  seen  to 
gether,  speak  of  going  before  my  uncle  and  his  sons !" 

u  Has  he  done  that  of  which  he  has  reason  to  be 
ashamed  ?"  demanded  the  trapper,  who  had  not  mov 
ed  an  inch  from  the  place  he  first  occupied. 

"  Heaven  forbid !  But  there  are  reasons,  why  he 
should  not  be  seen,  just  now,  that  could  do  him  no 
harm  if  known,  but  which  may  not  yet  be  told.  And, 
so,  if  you  will  wait,  father,  near  yonder  willow  bush, 
until  I  have  heard  what  Paul  can  possibly  have  to 
say,  I  shall  be  sure  to  come  and  wish  you  a  good 
night,  before  I  return  to  the  camp." 

The  trapper  drew  slowly  aside,  as  if  satisfied  with 
the  somewhat  incoherent  reason  Ellen  had  given  why 
he  should  retire.  When  completely  out  of  ear  shot 
of  the  earnest  and  hurried  dialogue,  that  instantly 
commenced  between  the  two  he  had  left,  the  old 
man,  again  paused,  and  patiently  awaited  the  mo 
ment  when  he  might  renew  his  conversation  with  be 
ings  in  whom  he  felt  a  growing  interest,  no  less  from 
the  mysterious  character  of  their  intercourse,  than 
from  a  natural  sympathy  in  the  welfare  of  a  pair  so 


THE    PRAIRIE.  45 

young  and  who,  as  in  the  simplicity  of  his  heart  he 
was  also  fain  to  believe,  were  also  so  deserving.  He 
was  accompanied  by  his  indolent,  hut  attached  dog, 
who  once  more  made  his  bed  at  the  feet  of  his  mas 
ter,  and  soon  lay  slumbering  as  usual,  with  his  head 
nearly  buried  in  the  dense  fog  of  the  prairie  grass. 

It  was  a  spectacle  so  unusual  to  see  the  human 
form  amid  the  solitude  in  which  he  dwelt,  that  the 
trapper  bent  his  eyes  on  the  dim  figures  of  his  new 
acquaintances,  with  sensations  to  which  he  had  long 
been  a  stranger.  Their  presence  awakened  recollec 
tions  and  emotions,  to  which  his  sturdy  but  honest 
nature  had  latterly  paid  but  little  homage,  and  his 
thoughts  began  to  wander  over  the  varied  scenes  of 
a  life  of  hardships,  that  had  been  strangely  blended 
with  scenes  of  wild  and  peculiar  enjoyment.  The 
train  taken  by  his  thoughts  had,  already,  conducted 
him,  in  imagination,  far  into  an  ideal  world,  when  he 
was,  once  more  suddenly,  recalled  to  the  reality  of 
his  situation,  by  the  movements  of  his  faithful  hound. 

The  dog,  who,  in  submission  to  his  years  and  in 
firmities,  had  manifested  such  a  decided  propensity 
to  sleep,  now,  arose,  and  stalked  from  out  the  shadow 
cast  by  the  tall  person  of  his  master,  and  looked 
abroad  into  the  prairie,  as  though  his  instinct  appris 
ed  him  of  the  presence  of  still  another  visiter.  Then, 
seemingly,  content  with  his  examination,  he  returned 
to  his  comfortable  post  and  disposed  of  his  weary 
limbs,  with  the  deliberation  and  care  of  one  who  was 
no  novice  in  the  art  of  self-preservation. 

"What;  again,  Hector!"  said  the  trapper  in  a 
soothing  voice,  which  he  had  the  caution,  however, 
to  utter  in  an  under  tone  ;  "what  is  it,  dog?  tell  his 
master,  pup  ;  what  is  it  ?" 

Hector  answered  with  another  growl,  but  was  con 
tent  to  continue  in  his  lair.  These  were  evidences, 
of  intelligence  and  distrust,  to  which  one  as  practis 
ed  as  the  trapper  could  not  turn  an  inattentive  ear. 


4G  THE    PRAIRIE. 

He  again  spoke  to  the  dog,  encouraging  him  to  watch 
fulness,  by  a  low,  guarded,  whistle.  The  animal  how 
ever,  as  if  conscious  of  having,  already,  discharged 
his  duty,  obstinately  refused  to  raise  his  head  from 
the  grass. 

"  A  hint  from  such  a  friend  is  far  belter  than  man's 
advice!"  muttered  the  trapper,  as  he  slowly  moved 
towards  the  couple  who  were  yet,  too  earnestly  and 
abstractedly,  engaged  in  their  own  discourse,  to  notice 
his  approach ;  "  and  none  but  a  conceited  settler 
would  hear  it  and  not  respect  it,  as  he  ought.  Chil 
dren,"  he  added,  when  nigh  enough  to  address  his 
companions,  "we  are  not  alone  in  these  dreary  fields; 
there  are  others  stirring,  and,  therefore,  to  the  shame 
of  our  kind,  be  it  said,  danger  is  nigh." 

"  If  one  of  them  lazy  sons  of  Skirtsig  Ishmael  is 
prowling  out  of  his  camp  to-night,"  said  the  young 
bee-hunter,  with  great  vivacity,  and  in  tones  that 
might  easily  have  been  excited  to  a  menace,  "  he, 
may  have  an  end  put  to  his  journey,  sooner  than 
either  he  or  his  father  is  dreaming  !" 

"  My  life  on  it,  they  are  all  with  the  teams,"  hur 
riedly  answered  the  girl.  "  I  saw  the  whole  of  them 
asleep,  myself,  except  the  two  on  watch  :  and  their 
natures  have  greatly  changed,  if  they,  too,  are  not 
both  dreaming  of  a  turkey  hunt  or  a  court-house 
fight,  at  this  very  moment." 

"  Some  beast,  with  a  strong  scent,  has  passed  be 
tween  the  wind  and  the  hound,  father,  and  it  makes 
him  uneasy ;  or,  perhaps,  he  too  is  dreaming.  I  had, 
a  pup,  of  my  own  in  Kentuck,  that,  would  start  up 
on  a  long  chase  from  a  deep  sleep  ;  and  all  upon  the 
fancy  of  some  dream.  Go  to  him,  and  pinch  his  ear, 
that  the  beast  may  feel  the  life  within  him." 

"  Not  so — not  so,"  returned  the  trapper,  shaking 
his  head  as  one  who  better  understood  the  qualities 
of  his  dog. — "Youth  sleeps,  ay,  and  dreams  too  ;  bul 
age  is  awake  and  watchful.  The  pup  is  never  false 


THE    PRAIRIE.  47 

with  his  nose,  and  long  experience  tells  me  to  heed 
his  warnings." 

"Did  you  ever  run  him  upon  the  trail  of  carrion  ?" 

"  Why,  I  must  say,  that  the  ravenous  beasts  have 
sometimes  tempted  me  to  let  him  loose,  for  they  are 
as  greedy  as  men,  after  the  venison,  in  its  season;  but 
then  I  knew  the  reason  of  the  dog,  would  tell  him 
the  object — No — no,  Hector  is  an  animal  known  in 
the  ways  of  man,  and  will  never  strike  a  false  trail 
when  a  true  one  is  to  be  followed  1" 

"  Ay,  ay,  the  secret  is  out !  you  have  run  the  hound 
on  the  track  of  a  wolf,  and  his  nose  has  a  better 
memory  than  his  master !"  said  the  bee-hunter,  laugh 
ing. 

"  I  have  seen  the  creatur'  sleep  for  hours,  with 
pack  after  pack,  in  open  view.  A  wolf  might  eat 
out  of  his  tray  without  a  snarl,  unless  there  was  a 
scarcity ;  then,  indeed,  Hector  would  be  apt  to  claim 
his  own." 

"  There  are  panthers  down  from  the  mountains  ;  1 
saw  one  make  a  leap  at  a  sick  deer,  as  the  sun  was 
setting.  Go ;  go  you  back  to  the  dog,  and  tell  him 
<lie  truth,  father  ;  in  a  minute,  I...." 

He  was  interrupted  by  a  long,  loud  and  piteous 
howl  from  the  hound,  which  rose  on  the  air  of  the 
evening,  like  the  wailing  of  some  spirit  of  the  place, 
and  passed  off  into  the  prairie,  in  cadences  that  rose 
and  fell,  like  its  own  undulating  surface.  The  trap 
per  was  impressively  silent,  listening  intently.  Even 
the  reckless  bee-hunter,  was  struck  with  the  wailing 
wildness  of  the  sounds.  After  a  short  pause  the  for 
mer  whistled  the  dog  to  his  side,  and  then  turning  to 
his  companions  he  said  with  the  seriousness,  which 
in  his  opinion,  the  occasion  demanded — 

"  They  who  think  man  enjoys  all  the  knowledge 
of  the  creaturs  of  God,  will  live  to  be  disappointed, 
if  they  reach,  as  I  have  done,  the  age  of  fourscore 
years.  I  will  not  take  upon  myself  to  say  what  mis- 


48  THE    PRAIRIE. 

chief  is  brewing,  nor  will  I  vouch  that,  even,  the 
hound  himself  knows  so  much  ;  but  that  evil  is  nigh, 
and  that  wisdom  invites  us  to  avoid  it,  I  have  heard 
from  the  mouth  of  one  who  never  lies.  I  did  think, 
the  pup  had  become  unused  to  the  footsteps  of  man, 
and  that  your  presence  made  him  uneasy ;  but  hi* 
nose  has  been  on  a  long  scent  the  whole  evening,  and 
what  I  mistook  as  a  notice  of  your  coming,  has  been 
intended  for  something  much  more  serious.  If  the 
advice  of  an  old  man,  is,  then,  worth  hearkening  to 
children,  you  will  quickly,  go  different  ways  to  your 
places  of  shelter  and  safety." 

"  If  I  quit  Ellen,  at  such  a  moment,"  exclaimed 
the  youth,  "  may  I  never..." 

"  You've  said  enough!"  the  girl  interrupted,  by 
again  interposing  a  hand  that  might,  both  by  its  deli 
cacy  and  colour,  have  graced  a  far  more  elevated  sta 
tion  in  life ;  "  my  time  is  out ;  and  we  must  part, 
at  all  events — So  good  night,  Paul — Father — good 
night." 

"  Hist !"  said  the  youth,  seizing  her  arm,  as  she 
was  in  the  very  act  of  tripping  from  his  side — 
"  Hist !  do  you  hear  nothing  ?  There  are  buffaloes 
playing  their  pranks,  at  no  great  distance — That  sound 
beats  the  earth  like  a  mad  herd  of  the  scampering 
devils!" 

His  two  companions  listened,  as  people  in  their  sit 
uation  would  be  apt  to  lend  their  faculties  to  discover 
the  meaning  of  any  doubtful  noises,  especially,  when 
heard  after  so  many  and  such  startling  warnings.  The 
unusual  sounds  were  now  unequivocally  though  still 
^aintly  audible.  The  youth  and  his  female  compan 
ion,  had  made  several  hurried,  and  vacillating  conjec 
tures  concerning  their  nature,  when  a  current  of  the 
night  air  brought  the  rush  of  trampling  footsteps,  too 
sensibly,  to  their  ears,  to  render  mistake  any  longer 
possible. 

"  I  am  right !"  said  the  bee-hunter ;  "  a  panther  it 


THE    PKAIRIE.  49 

driving  a  herd  before  him  ;  or  may  be  there  is  a  bat 
tle  among  the  beasts." 

"  Your  ears  are  cheats  ;"  returned  the  old  man. 
who,  from  the  moment  his  own  organs  had  been  able 
to  catch  the  distant  sounds,  had  stood  like  a  statue 
made  to  represent  deep  attention  —  "  The  leaps  are 
too  long  for  the  buffaloe,  and  too  regular  for  terror. 
Hist  !  now  they  are  in  a  bottom  where  the  grass  is 
high,  and  the  sound  is  deadened  !  Ay,  there  they  go 
on  the  hard  earth!  And  now  they  come  up  the 
swell,  dead  upon  us  ;  they  will  be  here  afore  you  can 
find  a  cover  !" 

"Come,  Ellen,"  cried  the  youth,  seizing  his  com 
panion  by  the  hand,  "  let  us  make  a  trial  for  the  en 
campment." 

"  Too  late  !  too  late  !"  exclaimed  the  trapper, 
"  for  the  creaturs  are  in  open  view  ;  and  a  bloody 
band  of  accursed  Siouxs  they  are,  by  their  thieving 
look,  and  the  random  fashion  in  which  they  ride  !" 

"Siouxs  or  devils,  they  shall  find  us  men!"  said 
the  bee-hunter,  with  a  mien  as  fierce  as  though  he 
led  a  party  of  superior  strength,  and  of  a  courage 
equal  to  his  own  —  "You  have  a  piece,  old  man,  and 
will  pull  a  trigger  in  behalf.  of  a  helpless,  Christian^ 
" 


Down,  down  into  the  grass  —  down  with  ye  both," 
whispered  the  trapper,  intimating  to  them  to  turn 
aside  to  the  tall  weeds,  which  grew,  in  a  denser  body 
than  common,  near  the  place  where  they  stood. 
"  YouVe  not  the  time  to  fly,  nor  the  numbers  to  fight, 
foolish  boy.  Down  into  the  grass,  if  you  prize 
the  young  woman,  or  value  the  gift  of  your  own 
life  !" 

His  remonstrance,  seconded,  as  it  was,  by  a  prompt 
and  energetic  action,  did  not  fail  to  produce  the  sub 
mission  to  his  order,  which  the  occasion  now  seemed, 
indeed,  so  imperiously  to  require.  The  moon  had 
fallen  behind  a  sheet  of  thin,  fleecy,  clouds,  which 
E 


50  THE    PRAIRIE. 

skirted  the  horizon,  leaving  just  enough  of  its  faint 
and  fluctuating  light,  to  render  objects  visible,  dimly 
revealing  their  forms  and  proportions.  The  trapper, 
by  exercising  that  species  of  influence,  over  his  com 
panions,  which  experience  and  decision  usually  as 
sert,  in  cases  of  emergency,  had  effectually  succeed 
ed  in  concealing  them  in  the  grass,  and  by  the  aid  of 
the  feeble  rays  of  the  luminary,  he  was  enabled  to 
scan  the  disorderly  party  which  was  riding,  like  so 
many  madmen,  directly  upon  them. 

A  band  of  beings,  who  resembled  demons  rather 
than  men,  sporting  in  their  nightly  revels  across  the 
bleak  plain,  was  in  truth  approaching,  at  a  fearful 
rate,  and  in  a  direction  to  leave  little  hope  that  some 
one  among  them,  at  least,  would  not  pass  over  the 
spot  were  the  trapper  and  his  companions  lay.  At 
intervals,  the  clattering  of  hoofs  was  borne  along  by 
the  night  wind,  quite  audibly  in  their  front,  and  then, 
again,  their  progress  through  the  fog  of  the  autumnal 
grass,  was  swift  and  silent ;  adding  to  the  unearthly 
appearance  of  the  spectacle.  The  trapper,  who  had 
called  in  his  hound,  and  bidden  him  crouch  at  hia 
side,  now  kneeled  in  the  cover,  also,  and,  kept  a  keen 
and  watchful  eye  on  the  route  of  the  band,  soothing 
the  fears  of  the  girl,  and  restraining  the  impatience 
of  the  youth,  in  the  same  breath. 

"  If  there's  one,  there's  thirty  of  the  miscreants  !" 
he  said  in  a  sort  of  episode  to  his  whispered  com 
ments.  "  Ay,  ay ;  they  are  edging  towards  the  river 
— Peace,  pup — peace — no,  here  they  come  this  way 
again — the  thieves  don't  seem  to  know  their  own  er 
rand  !  If  there  were  just  six  of  us,  lad,  what  a  beau 
tiful  ambushment  we  might  make  upon  them,  from 
this  very  spot — it  wont  do,  it  wont  do,  boy;  keep 
yourself  closer,  or  your  head  will  be  seen — besides, 
Pm  not  altogether  strong  in  the  opinion  it  would  be 
lawful,  as  they  have  done  us  no  harm — There  they 
bend  ag'in  to  the  river — no ;  here  they  come  up  the 


THE    PRAIRIE.  51 

swell — now  is  the  moment  to  be  as  still,  as  if  the 
breath  had  done  its  duty  and  departed  the  body." 

The  figure  of  the  old  man  sunk  into  the  grass 
while  he  was  speaking,  as  though  the  final  separation 
to  which  he  alluded,  had,  in  his  own  case,  actually 
occurred,  and,  at  the  next  instant,  a  band  of  wild 
horsemen,  whirled  by  them,  with  the  noiseless  rapid 
ity  in  which  it  might  be  imagined  a  troop  of  spectres 
would  pass.  The  dark  and  fleeting  forms  were  al 
ready  vanished,  when  the  trapper  ventured,  again,  to 
raise  his  head  to  a  level  with  the  tops  of  the  bending 
herbage,  motioning,  at  the  same  time  to  his  compan 
ions,  to  maintain  their  positions  and  their  silence. 

"  They  are  going  down  the  swell,  towards  the  en 
campment,"  he  continued,  in  his  former  guarded 
tones ;  "  no,  they  halt  in  the  bottom,  and  are  cluster 
ing  together  like  deer,  in  council.  By  the  Lord,  they 
are  turning,  ag'in,  and  we  are  not  yet  done  with  the 
reptiles !" 

Once  more  he  sought  his  friendly  cover,  and  at  the 
next  instant,  the  dark  troop  were  to  be  seen  riding, 
in  a  disorderly  manner,  on  the  very  summit  of  the 
little  elevation.  It  was  now  soon  apparent  that  they 
had  returned  to  avail  themselves  of  the  height  of  the 
ground,  in  order  to  examine  the  dim  horizon. 

Some  dismounted,  while  others  rode  to  and  fro, 
like  men  engaged  in  a  local  inquiry  of  much  interest. 
Happily,  for  the  hidden  party,  the  grass  in  which 
they  were  concealed,  not  only  served  to  skreen  them 
from  the  eyes  of  the  savages,  but  opposed  an  obstacle 
to  prevent  their  horses.  whictTwerft  no  Ifssjude  and 
untrained  than  their  riders,  from  trampling  on  them.. 
in  their  irregular  and  wild  paces. 

At  length"  ari~Trthtefrc~~and  dark  looking  Indian    \/ 
who,  by  his  air  of  authority,  would  seem  to  be  the 
leader,  summoned  his  chiefs  about  him,  to  a  consul 
tation,  which  was  held,  mounted.     This  body  was 
collected  on  the  very  margin  of  that  mass  of  her- 


52  THE    PRAIRIE. 

bage  in  which  the  trapper  and  his  companions  were 
hid.  As  the  young  man  looked  up  and  saw  the 
threatening  and  fierce  aspect  of  the  groupe,  which 
was  increasing  at  each  instant  by  the  accession  of 
some  countenance  and  figure,  apparently  more  for 
bidding  than  any  which  had  preceded  itviie  drew 
Jris_jjflejby  a  veiT_na;tujraJLJni£ulse,_ from  beneath 
HimTand  commenced  putting  it  in  a~slafe~for  instant 
service.  The  female,  at  his  side,  buried  her  face  in 
the  grass,  by  a  feeling  that  was,  possibly,  quite  as 
natural  to  her  sex  and  habits,  leaving  him  to  follow 
the  impulses  of  his  hot  blood,  but  his  aged  and  more 
prudent  adviser,  whispered,  sternly,  in  his  ear, 

"  The  tick  of  the  lock  is  as  well  known  to  the 
knaves,  as  the  blast  of  a  trumpet  to  a  soldier !  lay 
down  the  piece — lay  down  the  piece — should  the 
moon  touch  the  barrel,  it  could  not  fail  to  be  seen  by 
.the  devils,  whose  eyes  are  keener  than  the  bla^fcest 
|snake's !  The  smallest  motion,  now,  would  bJTsure  to 
bring  an  arrow  among  us." 

The  bee-hunter  so  far  obeyed  as  to  continue  im- 
moveable  and  silent.  But  there  was  still  sufficient 
light  to  convince  his  companion,  by  the  contracted 
brow  and  threatening  eye  of  the  young  man,  that  a 
discovery  would  not  bestow  a  bloodless  victory  on 
the  savages.  Finding  his  advice  disregarded,  the 
trapper  took  his  measures  accordingly,  and  awaited 
the  result  with  a  resignation  and  calmness  that  were 
characteristic  of  the  individual. 

In  the  mean  time,  the  Siouxs  (for  the  sagacity  of 
the  old  man  was  not  deceived  in  the  character  of  his 
dangerous  visiters)  had  terminated  their  council,  and 
were  again  dispersed  along  the  ridge  of  land  as  if 
they  sought  some  hidden  object. 

"The  imps  have  heard  the  hound  !"  whispered  the 
trapper,  "  and  their  ears  are  too  true  to  be  cheated  in 
the  distance.  Keep  close,  lad,  keep  close  ;  down  with 
your  head  to  the  very  earth,  like  a  dog  that  sleeps.'' 


THE    PRAIRIE.  53 

*'  Let  us  rather  take  to  our  feet,  and  trust  to  man 
hood,"  returned  his  impatient  companion — 

He  would  have  proceeded,  but  feeling  a  hand  laid 
rudely  on  his  shoulder,  he  turned  his  eyes  upward, 
and  beheld  the  dark  and  savage  countenance  of  an 
Indian  gleaming  full  upon  him.  Notwithstanding  the 
surprise  and  the  disadvantage  of  his  attitude,  the 
youth  was  not  disposed  to  become  a  captive,  so  easi 
ly.  Quicker  than  the  flash  of  his  own  gun,  he  sprang 
upon  his  feet,  and  was  throttling  his  opponent  with  a 
power  that  would  soon  have  terminated  the  contest, 
when  he  felt  the  arms  of  the  trapper  thrown  around 
his  body,  confining  his  exertions  by  a  strength  very 
little  inferior  to  his  own.  Before heLhad_ti?ie  to  re 
proach  Jiis  comrade  for  this  .apparent  treacFery,  a 
dozen  Siouxs,  were  around  them,  and  the  whole 
party  were  compelled  to  yield  themselves  agjgjjs- 
oiers. 


CHAPTER  IV 

"With  much  more  dismay, 
'     1  view  the  fight,  than  those  that  make  the  fray. 

Merchant  of  Venice. 

THE  unfortunate  bee-hunter  and  his  companions 
had  now  become  the  captives  of  a  people,  who  might, 
without  exaggeration,  ]y.  roller!  f^f  Ishmaelites  of  the 


American  deserts.  From  time  immemorial,  the  hands  * 


influence  and  authority  of  a  civilized  government  are  / 
1)egjanlng  tr>  frp  fp.1t  around  them,  they  are  considered  I 
as  n  ff^flrfarnng  and  dangerous  race.     At  the  period  v 
of  our  tale,  the  case  was  far  worse ;  few  white  men 
trusting  themselves  in  the  remote  and  unprotected 
regions  where  so  false  a  tribe  was  known  to  dwell. 


54  THE    PRAIRIE. 

Notwithstanding  the  peaceable  submission  of  the 
trapper,  he  was  quite  aware  of  the  character  of  the 
band,  into  whose  hands  he  had  fallen.  It  would  have 
been  difficult,  however,  for  the  nicest  judge  to  have 
determined  whether  fear,  policy  or  resignation  form 
ed  the  secret  motive  of  the  old  man,  in  permitting 
himself  to  be  plundered  as  he  did,  without  a  mur 
mur.  So  far  from  opposing  any  remonstrance  to  the 
rude  and  violent  manner  in  which  his  conquerors 
performed  the  customary  office,  he  even  anticipated 
their  cupidity,  by  tendering  to  the  chiefs  such  articles 
as  he  thought  might  prove  the  most  acceptable.  On 
the  other  hand  Paul  Hover,  who  had  been  literally  a 
conquered  man,  manifested  the  strongest  repugnance 
to  submit  to  the  violent  liberties  that  were  taken  with 
his  person  and  property.  He  even,  gave  several,  ex 
ceedingly,  unequivocal  demonstrations  of  his  displea 
sure  during  the  summary  process,  and  would,  more 
than  once,  have  broken  out,  in  open  and  desperate 
resistance,  but  for  the  admonitions  and  intreaties  of 
the  trembling  girl,  who  clung  to  his  side,  in  a  manner 
so  dependant,  as  to  show  the  youth,  that  her  hopes 
were  now  placed,  no  less  on  his  discretion,  than  on 
his  disposition  to  serve  her. 

The  Indians  had,  however,  no  sooner  deprived  the 
captives  of  their  arms  and  ammunition,  and  stript 
them  of  a  few  articles  of  dress  of  little  use  and  per 
haps  of  less  value,  than  they  appeared  disposed  to 
grant  them  a  respite.  Business  of  greater  moment 
pressed  on  their  hands,  and  required  their  instant  at 
tention.  Another  consultation  of  the  chiefs  was  con 
vened,  and  it  was  apparent,  by  the  earnest  and  vehe 
ment  manner  of  the  few  who  spoke,  that  the  war 
riors  conceived  their  success  as  yet  to  be  far  from 
complete. 

"  It  will  be  well,"  whispered  the  trapper,  who 
knew  enough  of  the  language  he  heard  to  compre 
hend  perfectly  the  subject  of  the  discussion,  "  if  the 


THE    PRAIRIE.  55 

travellers  who  lie  near  the  willow  brake  are  not 
awoke  out  of  their  sleep  by  a  visit  from  these  mis 
creants.  They  are  too  cunning  to  believe  that  a  wo- 
man_pf  the  "  pale-face^M£ja.b£Jbund  so  farjrom^ 
lE^setflements,  without  baring  a  white  manj  inven- 
iTona  and  comforts  at  hand." 

"  If  they  will  carry  the  tribe  of  wandering  Ishmael 
to  the  Rocky  Mountains,"  said  the  young  bee-hunter, 
laughing  in  his  vexation  with  a  sort  of  bitter  merri 
ment,  "  I  may  forgive  the  rascals." 

"  Paul!  Paul !"  exclaimed  his  companion  in  a  tone 
of  reproach,  "  you  forget  all !  Think  of  the  dread 
ful  consequences !" 

"  Ay,  it  was  thinking  of  what  you  call  consequen 
ces,  Ellen,  that  prevented  me  from  putting  the  matter, . 
at  once,  to  yonder  red-devil,  and  making  it  a  real 
knock-down  and  drag-out !  Old  trapper,  the  sin  of 
this  cowardly  business  lies  on  your  shoulders!  But 
it  is  no  more  than  your  daily  calling,  I  reckon,  to 
take  men,  as  well  as  beasts,  in  the  snares." 

"  I  implore  you,  Paul,  to  be  calm — to  be  patient." 

**  Well,  since  it  is  your  wish,  Ellen,"  returned  the 
youth,  endeavouring  to  swallow  his  spleen,  "  I  will 
make  the  trial ;  though,  as  you  ought  to  know,  it  is 
part  of  the  religion  of  a  Kentuckian,  to  fret  himself 
a  little,  at  a  mischance." 

"  I  fear  your  friends  in  the  other  bottom  will  not 
escape  the  eyes  of  the  imps !"  continued  the  trap 
per,  as  coolly  as  though  he  had  not  heard  a  syllable 
of  the  intervening  discourse — "  They  scent  plunder; 
and  it  would  be  as  hard  to  drive  a  hound  from  his 
game  as  to  throw  the  varmints  from  its  trail." 

"  Is  there  nothing  to  be  done!"  asked  Ellen,  in  an 
imploring  manner  which  proved  the  sincerity  of  her 
concern. 

"  It  would  be  an  easy  matter  to  call  out,  in  so  loud 
a  voice  as  to  make  old  Ishmael  dream  that  the  wolves 
trere  among  his  flock,"  Paul  replied ;  "  I  can  make 


56  THE    PRAIRIE. 

myself  heard  a  mile  in  these  open  fields,  and  his 
camp  is  but  a  short  quarter  from  us." 

"  And  get  knocked  on  the  head  for  your  pains," 
returned  the  trapper — "  No,  no ;  cunning  must  match 
cunning,  or  the  hounds  will  murder  the  whole  fami 
ly." 

"  Murder !  no — no  murder.  Tshmael  loves  travel 
so  well,  there  would  be  no  harm  in  his  having  a  look 
at  the  other  sea,  but  the  old  fellow  is  in  a  bad  condi 
tion  to  take  the  long  journey  I  I  would  try  a  lock 
myself  before  he  should  be  quite  murdered," 

"His  party  is  strong  in  number,  and  well  armed; 
do  you  think  it  will  fight  ?" 

"  Look  here,  old  trapper — Few  men  love  Ishmael 
Bush  and  his  seven  sledge-hammer  sons  less  than  one 
'Paul  Hover;  but  I  scorn  to  slander  even  a  Tennessee 
shot-gun.  There  is  as  much  of  the  true  stand-up 
courage  among  them,  as  there  is  in  any  family  that 
was  ever  raised  in  Kentuck.  They  are  a  long-sided 
and  a  double-jointed  breed  ;  and  let  me  tell  you,  that 
he  who  takes  the  measure  of  one  of  them  on  the 
ground,  must  be  a  workman  at  a  hug." 

"  Hist  I  The  savages  have  done  their  talk,  and  are 
about  to  set  their  accursed  devices  in  motion.  Let 
us  be  patient ;  something  may  yet  offer  in  favour  of 
your  friends." 

"  Friends  1  call  none  o-f  the  race  a  friend  of  mine, 
trapper,  if  you  have  the  smallest  regard  for  my  affec 
tion  !  What  I  say  in  their  favour  is  less  from  love 
than  honesty." 

"I  did  not  know  but  the  young  woman  was  of  the 
kin,"  returned  the  other,  a  little  drily — "  But  no  o£ 
fence  should  be  taken,  where  none  was  intended." 

The  mouth  of  Paul  was  again  stopped  by  the  hand 
of  Ellen,  who  took  on  herself  to  reply,  in  her  gentle 
and  conciliating  tones,,  "  We  should  be  all  of  a  fami 
ly,  when  it  is  in  our  power  to  serve  each  other.  We 
depend  entirely  on  your  experience,,  honest  old  man. 


THE    PRAIRIE.  57 

to  discover  the  means  to  apprise  our  friends  of  their 
danger." 

"  There  will  be  a  real  time  of  it,"  muttered  the 
bee-hunter,  laughing,  "  if  the  boys  get  at  work  in 
good  earnest  with  these  red  skins !" 

He  was  interrupted  by  a  general  movement  which 
took  place  among  the  band.  The  Indians  dismount 
ed  to  a  man,  giving  their  horses  in  charge  to  three  or 
four  of  the  party,  who  were  also  intrusted  with  the 
safe  keeping  of  the  prisoners.  They  then  formed 
themselves  in  a  circle  around  a  warrior,  who  appear 
ed  to  possess  the  chief  authority ;  and  at  a  given  sig 
nal  the  whole  array  moved  slowly  and  cautiously 
from  the  centre  in  straight  and  consequently  in  di 
verging  lines.  Most  of  their  dark  forms  were  soon 
blended  with  the  brown  covering  of  the  prairie; 
though  the  captives,  who  watched  the  slightest  move 
ment  of  their  enemies  with  vigilant  eyes,  were  now 
and  then  enabled  to  discern  a  human  figure,  drawn 
against  the  horizon,  as  some  one,  more  eager  than 
the  rest,  rose  to  his  greatest  height  in  order  to  extend 
the  limits  of  his  view.  But  it  was  not  long  before 
even  these  fugitive  glimpses  of  the  moving,  and  con 
stantly  increasing  circle,  were  lost,  and  uncertainty 
and  conjecture  were  added  to  apprehension.  In  this 
manner  passed  many  anxious  and  weary  minutes,  du 
ring  the  close  of  which  the  listeners  expected  at  each 
moment  to  hear  the  whoop  of  the  assailants  and  the 
shrieks  of  the  assailed,  rising  together  on  the  stillness 
of  the  night.  But  it  would  seem,  that  the  search 
which  was  so  evidently  making,  was  without  a  suffi 
cient  object ;  for  at  the  expiration  of  half  an  hour 
the  different  individuals  of  the  band  began  to  return 
singly,  gloomy  and  sullen,  like  men  who  were  disap 
pointed. 

"  Our  time  is  at  hand,"  observed  the  trapper,  who 
noted  the  smallest  incident,  or  the  slightest  indication 
of  hostility  among  the  savages  ;  "  we  are  now  to  be 


58  THE    PRAIRIE. 

questioned  ;  and  if  1  know  any  thing  of  the  policy 
of  our  case,  I  should  say  it  would  be  wise  to  choose 
one  among  us  to  hold  the  discourse,  in  order  that  our 
testimony  may  agree.  And  furthermore,  if  an  opinion 
from  one  as  old  and  as  worthless  as  a  hunter  of  four 
score,  is  to  be  regarded,  I  would  just  venture  to  say, 
that  man  should  be  the  one  most  skilled  in  the  natur3 
of  an  Indian,  and  that  he  should  also  know  some 
thing  of  their  language — Are  you  acquainted  with  the 
tongue  of  the  Siouxes,  friend  ?" 

"  Swarm  your  own  hive,"  returned  the  discontent 
ed  bee-hunter.  "  You  are  good  at  buzzing,  old  trap 
per,  if  you  are  good  at  nothing  else." 

"  'Tis  the  gift  of  youth  to  be  rash  and  heady,"  the 
trapper  calmly  retorted.  "  The  day  has  been,  boy, 
when  my  blood  was  like  your  own,  too  swift  and  too 
hot  to  run  quietly  in  my  veins.  But  what  will  it  pro 
fit  to  talk  of  silly  risks  and  foolish  acts  at  this  time  of 
life  !  A  grey  head  should  cover  a  brain  of  reason, 
and  not  the  tongue  of  a  boaster." 

"  True,  true,"  whispered  Ellen ;  "  and  we  have 
other  things  to  attend  to  now !  Here  comes  the  In 
dian  to  put  his  questions." 

The  girl,  whose  apprehensions  had  quickened  her 
senses,  was  not  deceived.  She  was  yet  speaking  when 
a  tall,  half  naked  savage,  approached  the  spot  where 
they  stood,  and  after  examining  the  whole  party  a> 
closely  as  the  dim  light  permitted,  for  more  than  ? 
minute  in  perfect  stillness,  he  gave  the  usual  saluta 
tion  in  the  harsh  and  guttural  tones  of  his  own  Ian 
guage.  The  trapper  replied  as  well  as  he  could 
which  it  seems  was  sufficiently  well  to  be  understood 
In  order  to  escape  the  imputation  of  pedantry  we 
shall  render  the  substance,  and,  so  far  as  it  is  possi 
ble  the  form  of  the  dialogue  that  succeeded,  into  the 
English  tongue. 

"  Have  the  pale-faces  eaten  their  own  buffaloes- 
and  taken  the  skins  from  all  their  own  beavers,"  con, 


THE    PRAIRIE,  59 

timied  the  savage,  allowing  the  usual  moment  of  de 
corum  to  elapse,  after  his  words  of  greeting,  before 
he  again  spoke,  "  that  they  come  to  count  how  many 
are  left  among  the  Pawnees  ?" 

"Some  of  us  are  here  to  buy,  and  some  to  sell,11 
returned  the  trapper ;  "  hut  none  will  follow,  if  they 
hear  it  is  not  safe  to  come  nigh  the  lodge  of  a  Sioux.1' 

"The  Siouxes  are  thieves,  and  they  live  among 
(he  snow ;  why  do  we  talk  of  a  people  who  are  so 
far,  when  we  are  in  the  country  of  the  Pawnees  ?" 

"  If  the  Pawnees  are  the  owners  of  this  land,  then 
white  and  red  are  here  by  equal  right" 

**  Have  not  the  pale-faces  stolen  enough  from  the 
-ed  men,  that  you  come  so  far  to  carry  a  lie  ?  I  have 
said  that  this  i-s  a  hunting-ground  of  my  tribe." 

"  My  right  to  be  here  is  equal  to  your  own,"  the 
trapper  rejoined  with  undisturbed  coolness ;  "  I  do 
not  speak  as  I  might — It  is  better  to  be  silent.  The 
Pawnees  and  the  white  men  are  brothers,  but  a  Sioux 
dare  not  show  his  face  in  the  village  of  the  Loups." 

**  The  Dahcotahs  are  men  P  exclaimed  the  sav 
age,  fiercely ;  forgetting  in  his  anger  to  maintain  the 
character  he  had  assumed,  and  using  the  appellation 
of  which  his  nation  was  most  proud;  "  the  Dahcotahs 
have  no  fear !  Speak ;  what  brings  you  so  far  from 
the  villages  of  the  pale-faces  ?" 

"  I  have  seen  the  sun  rise  and  set  on  many  coun 
cils,  and  have  heard  the  words  only  of  wise  men. 
Let  your  chiefs  come,  and  my  mouth  shall  not  be 
shut." 

M  1  arn  a  great  chief  P  said  the  savage,  affecting  an 
air  of  offended  dignity.  "  Do  you  take  me  for  an 
Assiniboine  1  Weucha  is  a  warrior  often  named,  and 
much  believed  F1 

u  Am  !  a  fool  not  to  know  a  burnt-wooa  Teton  !" 
demanded  the  trapper,  with  a  steadiness  that  did 
great  credit  to  his  nerves.  "  Go ;  it  is  dark,  and  you 
^o  not  see  that  my  head  is  grey  '" 


&U  TH£    PRAIRIE, 

The  Indian  now  appeared  convinced  that  fm  had 
adopted  too  shallow  an  artifice  to  deceive  one  so 
practised  as  the  man  he  addressed,  and  he  was  delib 
erating  what  fiction  he  should  next  invent,,  in  orde* 
to  obtain  his  real  object,  when  a  slight  comraotiou 
among  the  band  put  an  end  at  once  to  all  his  schemes* 
Casting  his  eyes  behind  him,  as  if  fearful  of  a  speedy 
interruption,  he  said  in  tones  much  less  pretending 
than  those  he  had  first  resorted  to — 

"  Give  Weucha  the  milk  of  the  Long-Knives,  and 
he  will  sing  your  name  in  the  ears  of  the  great  men 
of  his  tribe." 

"  Go;"  said  the  trapper,  motioning  him  away,  with 
strong  disgust.  "  Your  young  men  are  speaking  of 
Mahtoree — My  words  are  for  the  ears  of  a  chief." 

The  savage  cast  a  look  on  the  other,  whichT  not 
withstanding  the  dim  light,  was  sufficiently  indicative 
of  implacable  hostility.  He  then  stole  away  among 
his  fellows,  anxious  to  conceal  the  counterfeit  he  had> 
attempted  to  practise,  no  less  than  the  treachery  he 
had  contemplated  against  a  fair  division  of  the  spoils, 
from  the  man  named  by  the  trapper^  whom  he  now 
also  knew  to  be  approaching,  by  the  manner  in  which 
liis  name  passed  from  one  to  another,  in  the  band. 
He  had  hardly  disappeared  before  a  warrior  of  pow 
erful  frame  advanced  out  of  the  dark  circle,  and  pla 
ced  himself  before  the  captives,  with  that  high  and 
proud  bearing  for  which  a  distinguished  Indian  chief 
is  ever  so  remarkable.  He  was  followed  by  all  the 
party,  who  arranged  themselves  around  his  person, 
in  a  deep  and  respectful  silence. 

"  The  earth  is  very  large,"  the  chief  commenced, 
after  a  pause  of  that  true  dignity  which  his  counter 
feit  had  so  miserably  affected — "  Why  can  the  chil 
dren  of  my  g^a*  nrkifo  foiV.^  nfVfT  itnfl 
" 


"Some  among  t^m  flav**  h«»»™T 
in  the  prairies  ar** ;"»  want  of  many  thingsy  * 


THE    PRAIRIE.  61 

the  trapper-  "  and  thp.yr.ome  to  see  if  it  he .  tniftJ 
*Some  want,  in  thp.ir  tnrnsTwhaithp  rpd  men  are  wil-| 
jing  to  sell,  and  they  come  to  make.  thejr  friends  rich, 
"with  powder  and  mankets." 

"  Do  traders  cross  the  big  river  with  empty  hands  ?" 

"  Oar  hands  are  empty  because  your  young  men 
thought  we  were  tired,  and  they  lightened  us  of  our 
load.  They  were  mistaken,  I  am  old,  but  I  am 
strong." 

"  It  cannot  be.  Your  load  has  fallen  in  the  prai 
ries.  Show  my  young  men  the  place,  that  they  may 
pick  it  up,  before  the  Pawnees  find  it." 

"  The  path  to  the  spot  is  crooked,  and  it  is  now, 
night.  The  hour  is  come  for  sleep,"  said  the  trap 
per,  with  perfect  composure — "  Bid  your  warriors 
go  over  yonder  hill ;  there  is  water  and  there  is  wood ; 
let  them  light  their  fires  and  sleep  with  warm  feet. 
When  the  sun  comes  again  I  will  speak  to  you." 

A  low  murmur,  but  one  that  was  clearly  indica 
tive  of  great  dissatisfaction,  passed  among  the  atten 
tive  listeners,  and  served  to  inform  the  old  man  that 
he  had  not  been  sufficiently  wary  in  proposing  a  mea 
sure  that  he  intended  should  notify  the  travellers  in 
the  brake  of  the  presence  of  such  dangerous  neigh 
bours.  Mahtoree,  however,  without  betraying  in  the 
slightest  degree,  the  excitement  which  was  so  strong 
ly  exhibited  by  his  companions,  continued  the  dis 
course  in  the  same  lofty  manner  as  before.  "jjcnow^ 
j-ha^my  friend  is  rkklLhe  said  ;  "  that  he  has7ha.n£ 
*yarrk>rsjipt  far  offvand^to 
him,  than  dogs  among  the  red-skins." 

"You  see  my  warriors,  and  my  homes." 

"  What !  has  the  woman  the  feet  of  a  Dahcotah, 
that  she  can  walk  for  thirty  nights  in  the  prairies,  and 
not  fall !  I  know  the  red  men  of  the  woods  make 
long  marches  on  foot,  but  we,  who  live  where  the 
eye  cannot  see  from  one  lodge  to  another,  love  our 
horses." 

F 


V 


62  THE    PRAIRIE. 

The  trapper  now  hesitated,  in  his  turn.  He  was 
perfectly  aware  that  deception,  if  detected,  might 
prove  dangerous,  and  for  one  of  his  pursuits  and 
character,  he  was  strongly  troubled  with  an  unac 
commodating  regard  to  the  truth.  But,  recollecting 
that  he  controlled  the  fate  of  others  as  well  as  of 
himself,  he  quickly  decided  to  let  things  take  their 
course,  and  to  permit  the  Dahcotah  chief  to  deceive 
himself  if  he  would. 

"  The  women  of  the  Siouxes  and  of  the  white 
men  are  not  of  the  same  wigwam,"  he  answered 
evasively.  "  Would  a  Teton  warrior  make  his  wife 
greater  than  himself!  I  know  he  would  not ;  and 
yet  my  ears  have  heard  that  there  are  lands  where 
the  councils  are  held  by  squaws." 

Another  slight  movement  in  the  dark  circle  ap 
prised  the  trapper  that  his  declaration  was  not  re 
ceived  without  surprise,  if  entirely  without  distrust. 
The  chief  alone  seemed  unmoved  or  disposed,  in 
any  degree,  to  relax  from  the  loftiness  and  high  dig 
nity  of  his  air. 

"  My  white  fathers  who  live  on  the  great  lakes 
have  declared,"  he  said,  "that  their  brothers  to 
wards  the  rising  sun  are  not  men ;  and  now  I  know 
they  did  not  lie  !  Go — what  is  a  nation  whose  chief 
is  a  squaw !  Are  you  the  dog  and  not  the  husband 
of  this  woman  ?" 

"  I  am  neither.  Never  did  I  see  her  face  before 
this  day.  She  came  into  the  prairies,  because  they 
had_  told  hera  great  and  generous  nation  called  the  , 
Dahcotahs  lived,  there,  and  she  wished  to  look  on 
men.  The  women  of  the  pale-faces,  like  the  women 
of  the  Siouxes,  open  their  eyes  to  see  things  that  are 
new ;  but  she  is  poor,  like  myself,  and  she  will  want 
corn  and  buffaloes,  if  you  take  away  the  little  that 
she  and  her  friend  still  have." 

"  Now  do  my  ears  listen  to  many  wicked  lies !" 
exclaimed  the  Teton  warrior,  in  a  voice  so  stern  that 


THE    PRAIRIE.  63 

it  startled  even  his  red  auditors.  "  Am  I  a  woman  ! 
Has  not  a  Dahcotah  eyes  !  Tell  me,  white  hunter ; 
who  are  the  men  of  your  colour,  that  sleep  near  the 
fallen  trees  ?" 

As  he  spoke,  the  indignant  chief  pointed  in  the 
direction  of  IshmaePs  encampment,  leaving  the  trap 
per  no  reason  to  doubt,  that  the  superior  industry 
and  sagacity  of  this  man  had  effected  a  discovery, 
which  had  eluded  the  search  of  the  rest  of  his  party. 
Notwithstanding  his  regret  at  an  event  that  might 
prove  fatal  to  the  sleepers,  and  some  little  vexation 
at  having  been  so  completely  outwitted,  in  the  dia 
logue  just  related,  the  old  man  continued  to  maintain 
his  former  air  of  inflexible  composure. 

"  It  may  be  true,"  he  answered,  "  that  white  men 
are  sleeping  in  the  prairie.  If  my  brother  says  it,  it 
is  true  ;  but  what  men  are  thus  trusting  to  the  gener 
osity  of  the  Tetons,  I  cannot  tell.  If  there  be  stran 
gers  asleep,  send  your  young  men  to  wake  them  up, 
and  let  them  say  why  they  are  here ;  every  pale-face 
has  a  tongue." 

The  chief  shook  his  head  with  a  wild  and  fierce 
smile,  answering  abruptly,  as  he  turned  away  to  put 
an  end  to  the  conference — 

"  The  Dahcotahs  are  a  wise  race,  and  Mahloree 
is  tK5r_chiet '  I  rHe^wTTTnot  call  to  the  strangers,  that 
they  may  rise  and  speak  to  him  with  their  carabines. 
He  will  whisper  softly  in  their  ears.  Then  let  the 
men  of  their  own  colour  come  and  awake  them!" 

As  he  uttered  these  words,  and  turned  on  his  heel, 
a  low  and  approving  laugh  passed  around  the  dark 
circle,  which  instantly  broke  its  order  and  followed 
him  to  a  little  distance  from  the  stand  of  the  cap 
tives,  where  those  who  might  presume  to  mingle 
opinions  with  so  great  a  warrior,  again  gathered 
about  him  in  consultation.  Weucha  profited  by  the 
occasion  to  renew  his  importunities ;  but  the  trapper, 
who  had  now  discovered  how  great  a  counterfeit  he 


64  THE    PRAIRIE. 

was,  shook  him  off  in  high  displeasure.  An  end  was, 
however,  more  effectually  put  to  the  annoyance  of 
this  malignant  savage,  by  a  mandate  for  the  whole 
party,  including  men  and  beasts,  to  change  their  posi 
tion.  The  movement  was  made  in  dead  silence,  and 
with  an  order  that  would  have  done  credit  to  fai 
more  enlightened  beings.  A  halt,  however,  was  soon 
made,  and  when  the  captives  had  time  to  look  about 
them,  they  found  they  were  in  view  of  the  low,  dark 
outline  of  the  copse,  near  which  lay  the  slumbering 
party  of  Ishmael. 

Here  another  short  but  exceedingly  grave  and  de 
liberative  consultation  was  held. 

The  beasts,  which  seemed  trained  to  such  covert 
and  silent  attacks,  were  once  more  placed  under  the 
care  of  keepers,  who  as  before  were  again  charged 
with  the  duty  of  watching  the  prisoners.  The  mind 
of  the  trapper  was  in  no  degree  relieved  from  the 
uneasiness  which  was,  at  each  instant,  getting  a 
stronger  possession  of  him,  when  he  found  Weucha 
was  placed  nearest  to  his  own  person,  and,  as  it  ap 
peared  by  the  air  of  triumph  and  authority  he  assum 
ed,  at  the  head  of  the  guard  also.  The  savage,  how 
ever,  who  doubtless  had  his  secret  instructions,  was 
content,  for  the  present,  with  making  a  significant 
gesture  with  his  tomahawk,  which  threatened  instant 
destruction  to  Ellen.  After  admonishing  in  this  ex 
pressive  manner  his  male  captives  of  the  fate  that 
would  instantly  attend  their  female  companion,  on 
the  slightest  alarm  proceeding  from  any  of  the  party, 
he  was  content  to  maintain  during  the  whole  of  the 
succeeding  scene  a  rigid  and  deep  silence.  This  un 
expected  forbearance,  on  the  part  of  Weucha,  ena 
bled  the  trapper  and  his  two  associates  to  give  their 
undivided  attention  to  the  little  that  might  be  seen 
of  those  interesting  movements  which  were  passing 
in  their  front. 

Mahtoree  took  the  entire  disposition  of  the  ar- 


THE    PRAIRIE.  65 

rangements  on  himself.  He  pointed  out  the  precise 
situation  he  wished  each  individual  to  occupy,  like 
one  intimately  acquainted  with  the  qualifications  of 
his  respective  followers,  and  he  was  obeyed  with  the 
deference  and  promptitude  with  which  an  Indian 
warrior  is  wont  to  submit  to  the  instructions  of  his 
chief,  in  moments  of  trial.  Some  he  despatched  to 
the  right,  and  others  to  the  left.  Each  man  depart 
ed  with  the  noiseless  and  quick  step  peculiar  to  the 
race,  until  all  had  assumed  their  alloted  stations,  with 
the  exception  of  two  chosen  warriors,  who  remained 
nigh  the  person  of  their  leader.  When  the  rest  had 
disappeared,  Mahtoree  turned  to  these  select  com 
panions,  and  intimated  by  a  sign  that  the  critical  mo 
ment  had  now  arrived,  when  the  enterprise  he  con 
templated  was  to  be  put  in  execution. 

Each  man  laid  aside  the  light  fowling-piece  which, 
under  the  name  of  a  carabine,  he  carried  in  virtue 
of  his  rank,  and  then  divesting  himself  of  every  ar 
ticle  of  exterior  or  heavy  clothing,  he  stood  resem 
bling  a  dark  and  fierce  looking  statue,  in  the  attitude 
and  nearly  in  the  garb  of  nature.  Mahtoree  assured 
himself  of  the  right  position  of  his  tomahawk,  felt 
that  his  knife  was  secure  in  its  sheath  of  skin,  tight 
ened  his  girdle  of  wampum,  and  saw  that  the  lacing 
of  his  fringed  and  highly  ornamented  leggings  was  se 
cure  and  likely  to  offer  no  impediment  to  his  exer 
tions.  Thus  prepared  at  all  points,  and  ready  for 
his  desperate  undertaking,  the  Teton  chieftain  gave 
the  signal  to  proceed. 

The  three  advanced  in  a  line  with  the  encamp 
ment  of  the  travellers,  until,  in  the  dim  light  by 
which  they  were  seen,  their  dusky  forms  were  nearly 
lost  to  the  eyes  of  the  prisoners.  Here  they  paused, 
looking  around  them  like  men  who  deliberate  and 
ponder  long  on  the  consequences  before  they  take  a 
desperate  leap.  Then  sinking  together,  they  became 
lost  in  the  grass  of  the  prairie 
F  2 


66  THE    PRAIRIE. 

It  is  not  difficult  to  imagine  the  distress  and  anxie 
ty  of  those  different  spectators  of  these  threatening 
movements,  who  felt  so  deep  an  interest  in  their  re 
sults.  Whatever  might  be  the  reasons  of  Ellen  for 
entertaining  no  strong  attachment  to  the  family  in 
which  she  has  first  been  seen  by  the  reader,  the  feel 
ings  of  her  sex,  and,  perhaps,  some  lingering  seeds  of 
kindness,  asserted  their  existence  in  her  bosom. 
More  than  once  she  felt  tempted  to  brave  the  awful 
and  instant  danger  that  awaited  such  an  offence,  and 
to  raise  her  feeble  and  in  truth  impotent  voice  in  the 
notes  of  warning.  So  strong,  indeed,  and  so  very 
natural  was  the  inclination,  that  she  would  most 
probably  have  put  it  in  execution,  but  for  the  often- 
repeated  though  whispered  remonstrances  of  Paul 
Hover.  In  the  breast  of  the  young  bee-hunter  him 
self,  there  was  a  singular  union  of  emotions.  His 
first  and  chiefest  solicitude  was  certainly  in  behalf  of 
his  gentle  and  dependant  companion ;  but  the  sense 
of  her  danger  was  mingled  in  the  breast  of  the  reck 
less  woods-man  with  a  consciousness  of  a  high  and 
wild,  and  by  no  means  unpleasant  excitement. 
Though  united  to  the  emigrants  by  ties  still  less 
binding  than  those  of  Ellen,  he  longed  to  hear  the 
crack  of  their  rifles,  and,  had  occasion  offered,  he 
would  gladly  have  been  among  the  first  to  rush  to 
their  rescue.  There  were  in  truth  moments  when 
he  felt  in  his  turn  an  impulse,  that  was  nearly  resist 
less,  to  spring  forward  and  awake  the  unconscious 
sleepers  ;  but  a  glance  at  Ellen  would  serve  to  recall 
his  tottering  prudence,  and  to  admonish  him  of  the 
consequences.  The  trapper,  alone,  remained  calm 
and  observant,  as  though  nothing  that  involved  hiss 
personal  comfort  or  safety  had  occurred.  His  ever- 
moving,  vigilant  eyes,  watched  the  smallest  change 
with  the  composure  of  one  too  long  inured  to  scenes 
of  danger  to  be  easily  moved,  and  with  an  expres 
sion  of  cool  determination  which  denoted  the  inten- 


THE    PRAIRIE  67 

tion  he  actually  harboured,  of  profiting  by  the  small 
est  oversight  on  the  part  of  the  captors. 

In  the  mean  time  the  Teton  warriors  had  not  been 
idle.  Profiting  by  the  high  fog  which  grew  in  the 
bottoms,  they  had  wormed  their  way  through  the  mat 
ted  grass,  like  so  many  treacherous  serpents  stealing 
on  their  prey,  until  the  point  was  gained,  where  an 
extraordinary  caution  became  necessary  to  their 
further  advance.  Mahtoree,  alone,  had  occasionally 
elevated  his  dark,  grim  countenance  above  the  her 
bage,  straining  his  eye-balls  to  penetrate  the  gloom 
which  skirted  the  border  of  the  brake.  In  these 
momentary  glances  he  gained  sufficient  knowledge, 
added  to  that  he  had  obtained  in  his  former  search, 
to  be  the  perfect  master  of  the  position  of  his  in 
tended  victims,  though  he  was  still  profoundly  igno 
rant  of  their  numbers,  and  of  their  means  of  defence. 

His  effo^s  to  possess  himself  of  the  requisite 
knowledge  concerning  these  two  latter  and  essential 
points  were,  however,  completely  baffled  by  the  still 
ness  of  the  camp,  which  lay  in  a  quiet  as  deep  as 
though  it  were  literally  a  place  of  the  dead.  Too 
wary  and  distrustful  to  rely,  in  circumstances  of  so 
much  doubt,  on  the  discretion  of  any  less  firm  and 
crafty  than  himself,  the  Dahcotah  bade  his  compan 
ions  remain  where  they  lay,  and  pursued  the  adven 
ture  alone. 

The  progress  of  Mahtoree  was  now  slow,  and  to 
one  less  accustomed  to  such  a  species  of  exercise,  it 
would  have  proved  painfully  laborious.  But  the  ad 
vance  of  the  wily  snake  itself  is  not  more  certain  or 
noiseless  than  was  his  approach.  He  drew  his  form, 
foot  by  foot,  through  the  bending  grass,  pausing  at 
each  movement  to  catch  the  smallest  sound  that 
might  betray  any  knowledge  on  the  part  of  the  trav 
ellers  of  his  proximity.  He  succeeded,  at  length,  in 
dragging  himself  out  of  the  sickly  light  of  the- moon, 
into  the  shadows  of  the  brake,  where  not  only  his 


68  THE  PRAIRIE. 

own  dark  person  was  much  less  liable  to  be  seen, 
but  where  the  surrounding  objects  became  more  dis 
tinctly  visible  to  his  keen  and  active  glances. 

Here  the  Teton  paused  long  and  warily  to  make 
his  observations,  before  he  ventured  further.  His 
position  enabled  him  to  bring  the  whole  encamp 
ment,  with  its  tent,  wagons  and  lodges,  into  a  dark 
but  clearly  marked  profile ;  furnishing  a  clue  by  which 
the  practised  warrior  was  led  to  a  tolerably  accurate 
estimate  of  the  force  he  was  about  to  encounter. 
Still  an  unnatural  silence  pervaded  the  spot,  as 
though  men  suppressed  even  the  quiet  breathings  of 
sleep,  in  order  to  render  the  appearance  of  their 
confidence  more  evident.  The  chief  bent  his  head 
to  the  earth,  and  listened  intently.  He  was  about  to 
raise  it  again  in  disappointment,  when  the  long  drawn 
and  trembling  respiration  of  one  who  slumbered  im 
perfectly  met  his  ear.  The  Indian  was  too  well 
I  skilled  in  all  the  means  of  deception  to  become  him- 
'  self  the  victim  of  any  common  artifice.  He  knew 
the  sound  to  be  natural,  by  its  peculiar  quivering, 
and  he  hesitated  no  longer. 

A  man  of  nerves  less  tried  than  those  of  the  fierce 
and  conquering  Mahtoree  would  have  been  keenly 
sensible  of  all  the  hazard  he  now  so  fearlessly  incur 
red.  The  reputation  of  those  hardy  and  powerful 
white  adventurers,  who  so  often  penetrated  the  wilds 
inhabited  by  his  people,  was  well  known  to  him ;  but 
while  he  drew  nigher,  with  the  respect  and  caution 
that  a  brave  enemy  never  fails  to  inspire,  it  was  with 
the  vindictive  animosity  of  a  red  man,  jealous  and 
resentful  of  the  lawless  inroads  of  the  stranger. 

Turning  from  the  line  of  his  former  route,  the 
feton  dragged  himself  directly  towards  the  margin 
of  the  thicket.  When  this  material  object  was  ef 
fected  in  safety,  he  arose  to  his  seat,  and  took  a  still 
better  "survey  of  his  situation.  A  single  moment  serv 
ed  to  apprise  him  of  the  place  where  the  unsuspect 


THE    PRAIRIE.  69 

ing  traveller  lay.  The  reader  will  readily  anticipate 
that  the  savage  had  succeeded  in  gaining  a  dangerous 
proximity  to  one  of  those  slothful  sons  of  Ishmael, 
who  were  deputed  to  watch  over  the  isolated  en 
campment  of  the  travellers. 

When  certain  that  he  was  undiscovered,  the  Dah- 
cotah  raised  his  person  again,  and  bending  forward, 
he  moved  his  dark  visage  above  the  face  of  the  sleep 
er,  in  that  sort  of  wanton  and  subtle  manner  with 
which  a  reptile  is  often  seen  to  play  about  its  victim 
before  it  strikes  the  deadly  blow.  Satisfied  at  length, 
by  his  scrutiny,  not  only  of  the  condition  but  of  the 
character  of  the  stranger,  Mahtoree  was  in  the  act 
ofc  withdrawing  his  head  when  a  slight  movement  on 
the  part  of  the  sleeper  announced  the  symptoms  of 
reviving  consciousness.  The  savage  seized  the  knife 
which  hung  at  his  girdle,  and  in  an  instant  it  was 
poised  above  the  breast  of  the  young  emigrant. 
Then  changing  his  purpose,  with  an  action  as  rapid 
as  his  own  flashing  thoughts,  he  sunk  back  behind  the 
trunk  of  the  fallen  tree  against  which  the  other  re 
clined,  and  lay  in  its  shadow,  as  dark,  as  motionless, 
and  apparently  as  insensible  as  the  wood  itself. 

The  slothful  sentinel  opened  his  heavy  eyes,  and 
after  gazing  upward  for  a  moment  at  the  hazy  hea 
vens,  he  made  an  extraordinary  exertion  and  raised 
his  powerful  frame  from  the  support  of  the  log. 
Then  he  looked  about  him,  with  an  air  of  something 
like  watchfulness,  suffering  his  dull  glances  to  run 
over  the  misty  objects  of  the  encampment  until  they 
finally  settled  on  the  distant  and  dim  field  of  the  open 
prairie.  Meeting  with  nothing  more  attractive  than 
the  same  faint  outlines  of  swell  and  interval,  which 
everywhere  rose  before  his  drowsy  eyes,  he  changed 
his  position  so  as  completely  to  turn  his  back  on  his 
dangerous  neighbour,  and  suffered  his  person  to  sink 
sluggishly  down  into  its  former  recumbent  attitude. 
A  long,  and,  on  the  part  of  the  Teton,  an  anxious  and 


70  THE    PRAIRIE. 

painful  silence  succeeded,  before  the  deep  breathing 
of  the  traveller  again  announced  that  he  was  indulg 
ing  in  his  slumbers.  The  savage  was,  however,  far 
too  jealous  of  a  counterfeit  to  trust  to  the  first  ap 
pearance  of  sleep.  But  the  fatigues  of  a  day  of  un 
usual  toil  lay  too  heavy  on  the  sentinel  to  leave  the 
other  long  in  doubt.  Still  the  motion  with  which 
Mahtoree  again  raised  himself  to  his  knees  was  so 
noiseless  and  guarded,  that  even  a  vigilant  observer 
might  have  hesitated  to  believe  he  stirred.  The 
change  was,  however,  at  length  effected,  and  the  Dah- 
cotah  chief,  then  bent  again  over  his  enemy,  without 
having  produced  a  noise  louder  than  that  of  the  cot 
ton-wood  leaf  which  fluttered  at  his  side  in  the  cur 
rents  of  the  passing  air. 

Mahtoree  now  felt  himself  master  of  the  sleeper's 
fate.  At  the  same  time  that  he  scanned  the  vast  pro 
portions  and  athletic  limbs  of  the  youth,  in  that  sort 
of  admiration  which  physical  excellence  seldom  fails 
to  excite  in  the  breast  of  a  savage,  he  very  coolly 
prepared  to  extinguish  the  principle  of  vitality  which 
could  alone  render  them  formidable.  After  making 
himself  sure  of  the  seat  of  life,  by  gently  removing 
the  folds  of  the  intervening  cloth,  he  raised  his  keen 
weapon,  and  was  about  to  unite  his  strength  and  skill 
in  the  impending  blow,  when  the  young  man  threw 
his  brawny  arm  carelessly  backward,  exhibiting  in 
the  action  the  vast  volume  of  its  muscles. 

The  sagacious  and  wary  Teton  paused.  It  struck 
his  acute  faculties  that  sleep  was  less  dangerous  to 
him,  at  that  moment,  than  even  death  itself  might 
prove.  The  smallest  noise,  the  agony  of  struggling, 
with  which  such  a  frame  would  probably  relinquish 
its  hold  of  life,  suggested  themselves  to  his  rapid 
thoughts,  and  were  all  present  to  his  experienced 
senses.  He  looked  back  into  the  encampment,  turn 
ed  his  head  into  the  thicket,  and  glanced  his  glowing 
eyes  abroad  into  the  wild  and  silent  prairies.  Bend- 


THE    PRAIRIE.  71 

ing  once  more  over  the  respited  victim,  he  assured 
himself  that  he  was  sleeping  heavily,  and  then  aban 
doned  his  immediate  purpose  in  obedience  alone  to 
the  suggestions  of  a  more  crafty  policy. 

The  retreat  of  Mahtoree  was  as  still  and  guarded 
as  had  been  his  approach.  He  now  took  the  direc 
tion  of  the  encampment,  stealing  along  the  margin 
of  the  brake,  as  a  cover  into  which  he  might  easily 
plunge  at  the  smallest  alarm.  The  drapery  of  the 
solitary  hut  attracted  his  notice  in  passing.  After 
examining  the  whole  of  its  exterior,  and  listening 
with  painful  intensity,  in  order  to  gather  counsel  from 
his  ears,  the  savage  ventured  to  raise  the  cloth  at  the 
bottom,  and  to  thrust  his  dark  visage  beneath.  It 
might  have  been  a  minute  before  the  Teton  chief 
drew  back  and  seated  himself  again  with  the  whole 
of  his  form  without  the  linen  tenement.  Here  he 
sat,  seemingly  brooding  over  his  own  reflections,  for 
many  moments,  in  rigid  inaction.  Then  he  resumed 
his  crouching  attitude,  and  once  more  projected  his 
visage  beyond  the  covering  of  the  linen  dwelling. 
His  second  visit  to  the  interior  was  longer,  and,  if 
possible,  more  ominous  than  the  first.  But  it  had, 
like  every  thing  else,  its  termination,  and  the  savage 
again  withdrew  his  glaring  eyes  from  the  secrets  of 
the  place. 

Mahtoree  had  drawn  his  person  many  yards  from 
the  spot,  in  his  slow  progress  towards  the  cluster  of 
objects  which  pointed  out  the  centre  of  the  position, 
before  he  again  stopped.  Then  he  made  another 
pause,  and  looked  back  at  the  solitary  little  dwelling 
he  had  left,  as  if  doubtful  whether  he  should  not  re 
turn.  But  the  chevaux-de-frise  of  branches  now  lay 
within  reach  of  his  arm,  and  the  very  appearance  of 
precaution  it  presented,  as  it  announced  the  value  of 
the  effects  it  encircled,  tempted  his  cupidity  the 
more  strongly,  and  induced  him  to  proceed. 

The  passage  of  the  savage  through  the  tender  and 


72  1HE    PR.MRIE. 

brittle  limbs  of  the  cotton-wood  could  be  likened 
only  to  the  sinuous  and  noiseless  winding  of  the  rep 
tiles  which  he  imitated  no  less  in  sagacity  than 
in  the  manner  of  his  approach.  When,  however,  he 
had  effected  his  object,  and  had  taken  an  instant  to 
become  acquainted  with  the  nature  of  the  localities 
within  the  enclosure,  the  Teton  used  the  precaution 
to  open  a  way  through  which  a  retreat  might  be 
made  with  fewer  impediments  to  obstruct  its  rapidi- 
ity.  Then  raising  himself  on  his  feet,  he  stalked 
through  the  encampment,  like  the  master  of  evil,  seek 
ing  whom  and  what  he  should  first  devote  to  his  fell 
purposes.  He  had  already  ascertained  the  contents 
of  the  lodge  in  which  were  collected  the  woman  and 
her  young  children,  and  had  passed  several  gigantic 
frames,  stretched  on  different  piles  of  brush,  which 
happily  for  him  lay  in  unconscious  helplessness,  when 
he  at  last  reached  the  spot  occupied  by  Ishmael  in 
person.  It  could  not  escape  the  sagacity  of  one  like 
Mahtoree,  that  he  had  now  within  his  power  the 
principal  man  among  the  travellers.  He  stood  long 
hovering  above  the  recumbent  and  Herculean  form 
of  the  emigrant,  keenly  debating  in  his  own  mind  the 
chances  of  his  enterprise,  and  the  most  effectual 
means  of  reaping  its  richest  harvest. 

He  had  sheathed  the  knife,  which,  under  the  hasty 
and  burning  impulse  of  his  thoughts,  he  had  been 
tempted  to  draw,  and  was  passing  on,  when  Ishmael 
turned  in  his  lair,  and  demanded  roughly  who  it  was 
that  he  dimly  saw  moving  before  his  half-opened 
eyes.  Nothing  short  of  the  readiness  and  cunning 
of  a  savage  could  now  have  evaded  bringing  the  cri 
sis  to  an  immediate  issue.  Imitating  the  gruff  tones 
and  nearly  unintelligible  sounds  he  heard,  Mahtoree 
threw  his  body  heavily  on  the  earth,  and  appeared 
to  dispose  himself  to  sleep.  Though  the  whole 
movement  was  seen  by  Ishmael  in  a  sort  of  stupid 
observation,  the  artifice  was  too  bold  and  too  ad  mi* 


THE    PRAIRIE.  73 

rably  executed  to  fail  of  success.  The  drowsy  father 
once  more  closed  his  eyes,  and  soon  slept  heavily, 
with  this  treacherous  inmate  in  the  very  bosom  of 
his  family. 

It  was  necessary  for  the  Teton  to  maintain  the 
position  he  had  taken  for  many  long  and  weary  min- 
ites,  in  order  to  make  sure  that  he  was  no  longer 
watched.  Though  his  body  lay  so  motionless,  his 
active  mind  was  not  idle.  He  profited  by  the  delay 
to  mature  a  plan  which  he  intended  should  put  the 
whole  encampment,  including  both  its  effects  and 
their  proprietors,  entirely  at  his  mercy.  The  instant 
he  could  do  so  with  safety,  the  indefatigable  savage 
was  again  in  motion.  He  now  took  his  way  towards 
the  slight  pen  which  contained  the  domestic  animals, 
worming  himself  along  the  ground  in  his  former  sub 
tle  and  guarded  manner. 

The  first  animal  he  encountered  among  the  beasts 
occasioned  a  long  and  hazardous  delay.  The  wearv 
creature,  perhaps  conscious  through  its  secret  instinct 
that  in  the  endless  wastes  of  the  prairies  its  surest 
protector  was  to  be  found  in  man,  was  so  exceedingly 
docile  as  quietly  to  submit  to  the  close  examination 
it  was  doomed  to  undergo.  The  hand  of  the  wan 
dering  Teton  passed  over  the  downy  coat,  the  meek 
countenance  and  the  slender  limbs  of  the  gentle  ani 
mal,  with  untiring  curiosity  ;  but  he  finally  abandon 
ed  the  prize,  as  useless  in  his  predatory  expeditions, 
and  offering  too  little  temptation  to  the  appetite.  As 
soon,  however,  as  he  found  himself  among  the  beasts 
of  burden,  his  gratification  was  extreme,  and  it  was 
with  difficulty  that  he  restrained  the  customary  ejac 
ulations  of  pleasure  that  were  more  than  once  on  the 
point  of  bursting  from  his  lips.  Here  he  lost  sight 
of  the  hazards  by  which  he  had  gained  access  to  his 
dangerous  position,  and  the  watchfulness  of  the  wary 
and  long  practised  warrior  was  momentarily  forgot 
ten  in  the  exultation  of  a  savage. 
G 


THE    PRAIRIE. 


CHAPTER  V. 

"  Why,  worthy  father,  what  have  we  to  lose?" 

—The  law 

Prote?  ts  us  not.     Then  why  should  we  be  tender 
To  le.  an  arrogant  piece  of  flesh  threat  us  ! 
Play  judge  and  executioner." 

Cymbeline. 

WHILE  the  Teton  warrior  thus  enacted  his  subtle 
and  characteristic  part,  not  a  sound  broke  the  still 
ness  of  the  surrounding  prairie.  The  whole  band 
lay  at  their  several  posts,  waiting,  with  the  well- 
known  patience  of  the  natives,  for  the  signal  which 
was  to  summon  them  to  action.  To  the  eyes  of  the 
anxious  and  deeply  interested  spectators  who  occu 
pied  the  little  eminence  already  described  as  the 
position  of  the  captives,  the  scene  merely  presented 
the  broad,  solemn  view  of  a  waste,  dimly  lighted  by 
the  glimmering  rays  of  a  clouded  moon.  The  place 
of  the  encampment  was  marked  by  a  gloom  deeper 
than  that  which  faintly  shadowed  out  the  courses  of 
the  bottoms,  and  here  and  there  a  brighter  streak 
tinged  the  rolling  summits  of  the  ridges.  As  for  the 
rest,  it  was  the  deep,  imposing,  breathing  quiet  of  a 
desert. 

But  to  those  who  so  well  knew  how  much  was 
brooding  beneath  this  mantle  of  stillness  and  night, 
it  was  a  scene  of  high  and  wild  excitement.  Their 
anxiety  gradually  increased,  as  minute  after  minute 
passed  away,  and  not  the  smallest  sound  of  life  arose 
out  of  the  calm  and  darkness  wb  ich  enveloped  the 
brake.  The  breathing  of  Paul  grew  louder  and  -deep 
er,  and  more  than  once  Ellen  trembled  at  she  knew 
not  what,  as  she  felt  the  quivering  of  his  active  frame, 
while  she  leaned  dependantly  on  his  arm  for  support. 

The  shallow  honesty,  as  well  as  the  besetting  in 
firmity  of  Weucha,  have  already  been  exhibited 


THE    PRAIRIE.  75 

The  reader,  therefore,  will  not  he  surprised  to  learn 
that  he  was  the  first  to  forget  the  regulations  he  had 
himself  imposed.  It  was  at  the  precise  moment 
when  we  left  Mahtoree  yielding  to  his  nearly  ungov 
ernable  delight,  as  he  surveyed  the  number  and  qua! 
ity  of  Ishmael's  beasts  of  burden,  that  the  man  he 
had  selected  to  watch  his  captives  chose  to  indulge 
in  the  malignant  pleasure  of  tormenting  those  it  was 
his  duty  to  protect.  Bending  his  head  nigh  to  the 
ears  of  the  trapper,  the  savage  rather  muttered  than 
whispered — 

"  If  the  Tetons  lose  their  great  chief  by  the  hands 
of  the  Long-knives,  old  shall  die  as  well  as  young!" 

"  Life  is  the  gift  of  the  Wahcondah,"  was  the  un 
moved  reply — "  The  burnt-wood  warrior  must  sub 
mit  to  his  laws,  as  well  as  his  other  children.  Men 
only  die  when  he  chooses ;  and  no  Dahcotah  can 
change  the  hour." 

"  Look  !"  returned  the  savage,  thrusting  the  blade 
of  his  knife  before  the  face  of  his  captive.  "  Weucha 
is  the  Wahcondah  of  a  dog." 

The  old  man  raised  his  eyes  to  the  fierce  visage 
of  his  keeper,  and,  for  a  moment,  a  gleam  of  honest 
and  powerful  disgust  shot  from  their  deep  cells  ;  but 
it  instantly  passed  away,  leaving  in  its  place  an  ex 
pression  of  commiseration,  if  not  of  sorrow. 

"  Why  should  one  made  in  the  real  image  of  God 
suffer  his  natur'  to  be  provoked  by  a  mere  effigy  of 
reason !"  he  said  in  English,  and  in  tones  much  louder 
than  those  in  which  Weucha  had  chosen  to  pitch  the 
conversation.  The  latter  profited  by  the  uninten 
tional  offence  of  his  captive,  and  seizing  him  by  the 
thin,  grey  locks,  that  fell  from  beneath  his  cap,  was 
on  the  point  of  passing  the  blade  of  his  knife  in  ma 
lignant  triumph  around  their  roots,  when  a  long, 
shrill,  yell  rent  the  air,  and  was  instantly  echoed 
from  the  surrounding  waste,  as  though  a  thousand  de 
mons  had  opened  their  throats  in  common  at  the 


76  THE    PRAIRIE. 

summons.  Weucha  relinquished  his  grasp  and  utter 
ed  a  cry  of  savage  exultation. 

"  Now !"  shouted  Paul,  unable  to  control  his  im 
patience  any  longer,  "  now,  old  Ishmael,  is  the  time 
to  show  the  native  blood  of  Kentucky !  Fire  low, 
boys — Level  into  the  swales,  for  the  red  skins  are 
settling  to  the  very  earth  !" 

His  voice  was,  however,  lost,  or  rather  unheeded, 
in  the  midst  of  the  shrieks,  shouts,  and  yells,  that 
Were  by  this  time,  bursting  from  fifty  mouths  on  eve 
ry  side  of  him.  The  guards  still  maintained  their 
posts  at  the  side  of  the  captives,  but  it  was  with 
that  sort  of  difficulty  with  which  steeds  are  restrain 
ed  at  the  starling-post,  when  expecting  the  signal  to 
commence  the  trial  of  their  speed.  They  tossed 
their  arms  wildly  in  the  air,  leaping  up  and  down 
more  like  exulting  children  than  sober  men,  and  con 
tinued  to  utter  the  most  frantic  and  savage  cries. 

In  the  midst  of  this  tumultuous  disorder  a  rushing 
sound  was  heard,  similar  to  that  which  might  be  ex 
pected  to  precede  the  passage  of  a  flight  of  buffaloes, 
and  then  came  the  flocks  and  cattle  of  Ishmael  into 
view,  in  one  confused  and  frightened  drove. 

"  They  have  robbed  the  squatter  of  his  beasts  !" 
said  the  attentive  trapper.  "  The  reptiles  have  left 
him  as  hoofless  as  a  beaver !"  He  was  yet  speaking 
when  the  whole  body  of  the  terrified  animals  rose  the 
little  acclivity  and  swept  by  the  place  where  he  stood, 
followed  by  a  band  of  dusky  and  demon-like  looking 
figures,  who  pressed  madly  on  their  rear. 

The  impulse  was  communicated  to  the  Teton  hor 
ses,  who  were  long  accustomed  to  sympathize  in  the 
untutored  passions  of  their  owners,  and  it  was  with 
difficulty  that  their  keepers  were  enabled  to  restrain 
them.  At  this  moment,  when  all  eyes  were  directed 
to  the  passing  whirlwind  of  men  and  beasts,  the  trap 
per  caught  the  knife  from  the  hands  of  his  inatten 
tive  keeper,  with  a  power  that  his  age  would  have 


THE    PRAIRIE.  7") 

seemed  to  contradict,  and  at  a  single  blow  severed 
the  thong  of  hide  which  connected  the  whole  of  the 
drove.  The  wild  animals  snorted  with  joy  and  ter 
ror,  and  tearing  the  earth  with  their  heels,  they  dash 
ed  away  into  the  broad  prairies,  in  a  dozen  different 
directions. 

Weucha  turned  upon  his  assailant  with  the  ferocity 
and  agility  of  a  tiger.  He  felt  for  the  weapon  of 
which  he  had  been  so  suddenly  deprived,  fumbled 
with  impotent  haste  for  the  handle  of  his  tomahawk, 
and  at  the  same  moment  glanced  his  eyes  after  his 
flying  cattle,  with  all  the  longings  of  a  Western  In 
dian.  The  struggle  between  thirst  for  vengeance  and 
cupidity  was  short  but  severe.  The  latter  quickly 
predominated  in  the  bosom  of  one  whose  passions 
were  proverbially  grovelling,  and  scarcely  a  moment 
intervened  between  the  flight  of  the  animals  and  the 
swift  pursuit  of  all  the  guards.  The  trapper  had  con 
tinued  calmly  facing  his  foe,  during  the  instants  of 
suspense  that  succeeded  his  own  hardy  act,  and  now 
that  Weucha  was  seen  following  his  companions,  he 
pointed  after  the  dark  train,  saying,  with  his  deep  and 
nearly  inaudible  laugh — 

"  Red-natur'  is  red-natur',  let  it  show  itself  on  a 
prairie,  or  in  a  forest !  A  knock  on  the  head  would 
be  the  smallest  reward  to  him  who  should  take  such 
a  liberty  with  a  Christian  sentinel ;  but  there  goes 
the  Teton  after  his  horses  as  if  he  thought  two  legs 
as  good  as  four  in  such  a  race  !  And  yet  the  imps 
will  have  every  hoof  of  them  afore  the  day  sets  in, 
because  its  reason  ag'in  instinct.  Poor  reason,  I  al 
low  ;  but  still  there  is  a  great  deal  of  the  man  in  an 
Indian.  Ah's  me !  your  Delawares  were  the  red-skins 
of  which  America  mignt  boast ;  but  few  and  scattei- 
ed  is  that  mighty  people,  now  !  Well !  the  traveller 
may  just  make  his  pitch  where  he  is  ;  he  has  plenty 
of  water,  though  natur1  has  cheated  him  of  the  plea- 
Biire  of  stripping  the  'arth  of  its  lawful  trees.  He 

G  2 


78  THE  PRAIRIE. 

has  seen  the  last  of  his  four-footed  creatures,  or  I  am 
but  little  skilled  in  Sioux  cunning." 

"  Had  we  not  better  join  the  party  of  Ishmael," 
said  the  bee-hunter.  "  There  will  be  a  regular  fight 
about  this  matter,  or  the  old  fellow  has  suddenly 
grown  chicken-hearted." 

"  No — no — no,"  hastily  exclaimed  Ellen. 

She  was  stopped  by  the  trapper,  who  laid  his  hand 
gently  on  her  mouth  as  he  answered — 

"  Hist ! — hist ! — the  sound  of  voices  might  bring 
us  into  danger.  Is  your  friend,"  he  added  turning  to 
Paul,  "  a  man  of  spirit  enough — " 

"Don't  call  the  squatter  a  friend  of  mine !"  inter 
rupted  the  youth.  "  I  never  yet  harboured  with  one 
who  could  not  show  hand  and  seal  for  the  land  which 
fed  him." 

"  Well — well.  Let  it  then  be  acquaintance.  Is  he 
a  man  to  maintain  his  own  stoutly  by  dint  of  powder 
and  lead  ?" 

"  His  own !  ay,  and  that  which  is  not  his  own,  too! 
Can  you  tell  me,  old  trapper,  who  held  the  rifle  that 
did  the  deed  for  the  sheriff's  deputy,  that  thought  to 
rout  the  unlawful  settlers  who  had  gathered  nigh  the 
BufFaloe  lick  in  old  Kentucky !  I  had  lined  a  beau 
tiful  swarm  that  very  day  into  the  hollow  of  a  dead 
beech,  and  there  lay  the  people's  officer  at  its  roots, 
with  a  hole  directly  through  the  "  grace  of  God ;" 
which  he  carried  in  his  jacket  pocket  covering  his 
heart,  as  though  he  thought  a  bit  of  sheepskin  was  a 
breastplate  against  a  squatter's  bullet !  Now,  Ellen, 
you  needVt,  be  troubled  ;  for  it  never  strictly  was 
brought  home  to  him ;  and  there  were  fifty  others 
who  had  pitched  in  that  neighbourhood  with  just  the 
same  assistance  from  the  law." 

The  poor  girl  shuddered,  struggling  powerfully  to 
suppress  the  sigh  which  arose  in  spite  of  her  efforts, 
•as  if  from  the  very  bottom  of  her  heart. 

Thoroughly  satisfied  that  he  understood  the  char- 


THE    PRAIRIE.  79 

acter  of  the  emigrants,  by  the  short  but  comprehen 
sive  description  conveyed  in  Paul's  reply,  the  old 
man  raised  no  further  question  concerning  the  readi 
ness  of  fshmael  to  revenge  his  wrongs,  but  rather  fol 
lowed  that  train  of  thoughts  which  was  suggested  to 
his  experience  by  the  occasion, 

4  Each  one  knows  the  ties  which  bind  him  to  his 
fellow-creatures  best,"  he  answered.  "  Though  it  is 
greatly  to  be  mourned  that  colour,  and  property,  and 
tongue,  and  1'arning  should  make  so  wide  a  difference 
*n  those  who,  after  all,  are  but  the  children  of  one 
father !  Howsomever,"  he  continued,  by  a  transition 
not  a  little  characteristic  of  the  pursuits  and  feelings 
of  the  man,  u  as  this  is  a  business  in  which  there  is 
much  more  likelihood  of  a  fight  than  need  for  a  ser 
mon,  it  is  best  to  be  prepared  for  what  may  follow — 
Hush !  there  is  a  movement  below ;  it  is  an  equal 
chance  that  we  are  seen." 

"  The  family  is  stirring;"  cried  Ellen  with  a  tremor 
in  her  voice  that  announced  nearly  as  much  terror  at 
the  approach  of  her  friends,  as  she  had  before  mani 
fested  at  the  presence  of  her  enemies.  "  Go,  Paul, 
leave  me.  YOM,  at  least,  must  not  be  seen  !" 

u  If  I  leave  you,  Ellen,  in  this  desert  before  I  see 
you  safe  in  the  care  of  old  Ishmael,  at  least,  may  I 
never  hear  the  hum  of  another  bee,  or,  what  is 
worse,  fail  in  sight  to  line  him  to  his  hive!1' 

"  You  forget  this  good  old  man.  He  will  not  leave 
me.  Though  I  am  sure,  Paul,  we  have  parted  before, 
where  there  has  been  more  of  a  desert  than  this." 

"  Never !  These  Indians  may  come  whooping  back, 
and  then  where  are  you  I  Half  way  to  the  Rocky 
Mountains  before  a  man  can  fairly  strike  the  line  of 
your  flight.  What  think  you,  old  trapper?  How 
long  may  it  be  before  these  Tetoris,  as  you  call  them, 
will  be  coming  for  the  rest  of  old  fshmael's  goods 
auid  chattels  ?" 

*  No  fear  of  them,"  returned  the  old  man  again- 


78  THE  PRAIRIE. 

has  seen  the  last  of  his  four-footed  creatures,  or  1  am 
but  little  skilled  in  Sioux  cunning." 

"  Had  we  not  better  join  the  party  of  Ishmael," 
said  the  bee-hunter.  "  There  will  be  a  regular  fight 
about  this  matter,  or  the  old  fellow  has  suddenly 
grown  chicken-hearted." 

"  No — no — no,"  hastily  exclaimed  Ellen. 

She  was  stopped  by  the  trapper,  who  laid  his  hand 
gently  on  her  mouth  as  he  answered — 

"  Hist ! — hist ! — the  sound  of  voices  might  bring 
us  into  danger.  Is  your  friend,"  he  added  turning  to 
Paul,  "  a  man  of  spirit  enough — " 

"Don't  call  the  squatter  a  friend  of  mine !"  inter 
rupted  the  youth.  "  I  never  yet  harboured  with  one 
who  could  not  show  hand  and  seal  for  the  land  which 
fed  him." 

"  Well — well.  Let  it  then  be  acquaintance.  Is  he 
a  man  to  maintain  his  own  stoutly  by  dint  of  powder 
and  lead?" 

"  His  own !  ay,  and  that  which  is  not  his  own,  too! 
Can  you  tell  me,  old  trapper,  who  held  the  rifle  that 
did  the  deed  for  the  sheriff's  deputy,  that  thought  to 
rout  the  unlawful  settlers  who  had  gathered  nigh  the 
Buffaloe  lick  in  old  Kentucky !  I  had  lined  a  beau 
tiful  swarm  that  very  day  into  the  hollow  of  a  dead 
beech,  and  there  lay  the  people's  officer  at  its  roots, 
with  a  hole  directly  through  the  "  grace  of  God ;" 
which  he  carried  in  his  jacket  pocket  covering  his 
heart,  as  though  he  thought  a  bit  of  sheepskin  was  a 
breastplate  against  a  squatter's  bullet !  Now,  Ellen, 
you  need'n't,  be  troubled  ;  for  it  never  strictly  was 
brought  home  to  him ;  and  there  were  fifty  others 
who  had  pitched  in  that  neighbourhood  with  just  the 
same  assistance  from  the  law." 

The  poor  girl  shuddered,  struggling  powerfully  to 
suppiess  the  sigh  which  arose  in  spite  of  her  efforts, 
as  if  from  the  very  bottom  of  her  heart. 

Thoroughly  satisfied  that  he  understood  the  char- 


THE    PRAIRIE.  79 

acter  of  the  emigrants,  by  the  short  but  comprehen 
sive  description  conveyed  in  Paul's  reply,  the  old 
man  raised  no  further  question  concerning  the  readi 
ness  of  Ishmael  to  revenge  his  wrongs,  but  rather  fol 
lowed  that  train  of  thoughts  which  was  suggested  to 
his  experience  by  the  occasion. 

4  Each  one  knows  the  ties  which  bind  him  to  his 
fellow-creatures  best,"  he  answered.  "  Though  it  is 
greatly  to  be  mourned  that  colour,  and  property,  and 
tongue,  and  Taming  should  make  so  wide  a  difference 
*n  those  who,  after  all,  are  but  the  children  of  one 
father !  Howsomever,"  he  continued,  by  a  transition 
not  a  little  characteristic  of  the  pursuits  and  feelings 
of  the  man,  **  as  this  is  a  business  in  which  there  is 
much  more  likelihood  of  a  fight  than  need  for  a  ser 
mon,  it  is  best  to  be  prepared  for  what  may  follow — 
Hush !  there  is  a  movement  below ;  it  is  an  equal 
chance  that  we  are  seen." 

44  The  family  is  stirring;"  cried  Ellen  with  a  tremor 
in  her  voice  that  announced  nearly  as  much  terror  at 
the  approach  of  her  friends,  as  she  had  before  mani 
fested  at  the  presence  of  her  enemies.  "  Go,  Paul, 
leave  me.  You*,  at  least,  must  not  be  seen  !" 

44  If  I  leave  you,  Ellen,  in  this  desert  before  I  see 
you  safe  in  the  care  of  old  Ishmael,  at  least,  may  I 
never  hear  the  hum  of  another  bee,  or,  what  is 
worse,  fail  in  sight  to  line  him  to  his  hive!" 

"  You  forget  this  good  old  man.  He  will  not  leave 
me.  Though  I  am  sure,  Paul,  we  have  parted  before, 
where  there  has  been  more  of  a  desert  than  this." 

44  Never !  These  Indians  may  come  whooping  back, 
and  then  where  are  you  I  Half  way  to  the  Rocky 
Mountains  before  a  man  can  fairly  strike  the  line  of 
your  flight.  What  think  you,  old  trapper?  How 
long  may  it  be  before  these  Tetoris,  as  you  call  them, 
will  be  coming  for  the  rest  of  old  Ishmael's  goods 
and  chattels  ?" 

*  No  fear  of  them,"  returned  the  old  man  again- 


80  THE    PRAIRIE. 

laughing  in  his  own  peculiar  and  silent  manner;  **  1 
warrant  me  the  devils  will  be  scampering  after  theii 
beasts  these  six  hours  yet !  Listen  !  you  may  hear 
them  in  the  willow  bottoms  at  this  very  moment ;  ay, 
your  real  Sioux  cattle  will  run  )ike  so  many  long-leg 
ged  elks.  Hist !  crouch  again  into  the  grass,  down 
with  ye  both ;  as  I'm  a  miserable  piece  of  clay,  1 
heard  the  ticking  of  a  gun-lock  !" 

The  trapper  did  not  allow  his  companions  time  to 
hesitate,  but  dragging  them  both  after  him,  he  nearly 
buried  his  own  person  in  the  fog  of  the  prairie,  while 
he  was  speaking.  It  was  fortunate  that  the  senses  of 
the  aged  hunter  remained  so  acute,  and  that  he  had 
lost  none  of  his  readiness  of  action.  The  three  were 
scarcely  bowed  to  the  ground,  when  their  ears  were 
saluted  with  the  well-known  sharp,  short  reports  of 
the  western  rifle,  and  instantly,  the  whizzing  of  the 
ragged  lead  was  heard,  buzzing  within  a  dangerous 
proximity  of  their  heads. 

"  Well  done,  young  chips  I  well  done,  old  block !" 
whispered  Paul,  whose  spirits  no  danger  nor  situation 
could  entirely  depress.  u  As  pretty  a  volley,  as  one 
would  wish  to  hear  on  the  wrong  end  of  a  rifle ! 
What  say,  trapper  I  here  is  likely  to  be  a  three-cor 
nered  war.  Shall  I  give'em  as  good  as  they  send  ?'* 

"  Give  them  nothing,  but  fair  words,"  returned 
the  other,  hastily,  "•  or  you  are  both  lost." 

"  I'm  no-t  certain  it  would  much  mend  the  matter, 
if  I  were  to  speak  with  my  tongue  instead  of  the 
piece,"  said  Paul  in  a  tone  half  jocular  half  bitter. 

"  For  the  sake  of  heaven,  do  not  let  them  hea? 
you !"  cried  Ellen  !  "  Go?  Paul^go  ;  you  may  easilj 
go!" 

Several  shots  in  quick  succession,  each  sending  its 
dangerous  messenger,  still  nearer  than  the  preceding 
discharge,  cut  short  her  speech,  no>  less  in  prudence 
than  in  terror. 

"  This  must  end,"  said  the  trapper  rising,  with  th* 


THE    PRAIRIE.  81 

dignity  of  one  bent  only  on  the  importance  of  his  ob 
ject.  "  I  know  not  what  need  ye  may  have,  children, 
to  fear  those  you  should  both  love  and  honour,  but 
something  must  be  done  to  save  your  lives.  A  few 
hours  more  or  less  can  never  be  missed  from  the  time 
of  one  who  has  already  numbered  so  many  days; 
therefore  I  will  advance.  Here  is  a  clear  space 
around  you.  Profit  by  it  as  you  need,  and  may  God 
bless  and  prosper  each  of  you,  as  ye  deserve  !" 

Without  waiting  for  any  .reply,  the  trapper  walked 
boldly  down  the  declivity  in  his  front,  taking  the  di 
rection  of  the  encampment,  neither  quickening  his 
pace  in  trepidation,  nor  suffering  it  to  be  retarded  by 
fear.  The  light  of  the  moon  fell  brighter  for  a  mo 
ment  on  his  tall,  gaunt  form,  and  served  to  warn  the 
emigrants  of  his  approach.  Indifferent,  however, 
to  this  unfavourable  circumstance,  he  held  his  way, 
silently  and  steadily  towards  the  copse,  until  a  stern, 
threatening  voice  met  him  with  the  challenge  of— 

"  Who  comes  ;  friend  or  foe  ?" 

"  Friend,"  was  the  reply  ;  "  one  who  has  lived  too 
long  to  disturb  the  close  of  life  with  quarrels." 

"  But  not  so  long  as  to  forget  the  tricks  of  his 
youth,"  said  Ishmael,  rearing  his  huge  frame  from 
beneath  the  slight  covering  of  a  low  bush,  and  meet 
ing  the  trapper,  face  to  face  ;  "  old  man,  you  have 
brought  this  tribe  of  red  devils  upon  us,  and  to-mor 
row  you  will  be  sharing  the  booty." 

"What  have  you  lost?"  calmly  demanded  the 
trapper. 

elled  in  gears, 


_ 

Mexicans  thatHSear  theTara^pf  the  King  pf  span 
Then  the  woman  has  not  a  cloven  hoof  for  her  dairy 
or  her  loom,  and  I  believe  even  the  grunters,  foot 
sore  as  they  be,  are  ploughing  the  prairie.  And 
now,  stranger,"  he  added,  dropping  the  butt  of  his 
rifle  on  the  hard  earth,  with  a  violence  and  clatter 


82  THE    PRAIRIE. 

that  would  have  intimidated  one  less  firm  than  the 
man  he  addressed,  "  how  many  of  these  creatures, 
may  fall  to  your  lot  ?" 

"  Horses  have  1  never  craved,  nor  even  used  ; 
though  few  have  journeyed  over  more  of  the  wide 
lands  of  America  than  myself,  old  and  feeble  as  I 
seem.  But  little  use  is  there  for  a  horse  among  the 
hills  and  woods  of  York — that  is,  as  York  was,  but 
as  I  greatly  fear  York  is  no  longer— as  for  woollen 
covering  and  cow's  milk,  I  covet  no  such  womanly 
fashions  !  The  beasts  of  the  field  give  me  food  and 
raiment.  No,  I  crave  no  cloth  better  than  the  skin 
of  a  deer,  nor  any  meat  richer  than  his  flesh." 

The  sincere  manner  of  the  trapper,  as  he  uttered 
this  simple  vindication,  was  not  entirely  thrown  away 
on  the  emigrant,  whose  dull  nature  was  gradually 
quickening  into  a  flame,  that  might  speedily  have 
burst  forth  with  dangerous  violence.  He  listened 
like  one  who  doubted,  though  not  entirely  convinced ; 
and  he  muttered  between  his  teeth  the  denunciation, 
with  which  a  moment  before  he  intended  to  precede 
the  summary  vengeance  he  had  certainly  meditated. 

"  This  is  brave  talking,"  he  at  length  grumbled ; 
"  but  to  my  judgment,  too  lawyer-like,  for  a  straight 
forward,  fair-weather,  and  foul-weather  hunter." 

"  I  claim  to  be  no  better  than  a  trapper,"  the  other 
meekly  interrupted. 

"  Hunter  or  trapper — There  is  little  difference.  I 
have  come,  old  man,  into  these  districts  because  1 
found  the  law  sitting  too  tight  upon  me,  and  am  not 
over  fond  of  neighbours  who  can't  settle  a  dispute 
without  troubling  a  justice  and  twelve  men ;  but  I 
didn't  come  to  be  robb'd  of  my  plunder,  and  then  to 
say  thank 'ee  to  the  man  who  did  it !" 

u  He,  whft  ypnturesjar  into  the  prairiesj  must  abide 
by  the  ways  of  its  owners." 

"~"1-  OwtteVsT'necrToed  the  sullen  squatter,  "  I  am  as 
rightful  an  owner  of  the  land  I  stand  on,  as  any  gov- 


f  ^F&m 

THE    PRAIRIE.  83 

ernor  in  all  the  states  !  Can  you  tell  me,  stranger 
where  the  law  or  the  reason  is  to  be  found,  which 
says  that  one  man  shall  have  a  section,  or  a  town,  or 
perhaps  a  county,  to  his  use,  and  another  have  to 
beg  for  earth  to  make  his  grave  in.  This  is  not 
nature,  and  I  deny  that  it  is  law.  That  is,  your  legal 
law.1' 

"  I  cannot  say  that  you  are  wrong,1'  returned  the 
trapper,  whose  opinions  on  this  important  topic, 
though  drawn  from  very  different  premises,  were  in 
singular  accordance  with  those  of  his  companion, 
•*  and  I  have  often  thought  and  said  as  much,  when 
and  where  I  have  believed  my  voice  could  be  heard. 
Buj^oujr_beasts  are  stojen  by  them  who  claim  to  be 
py  ^"^  in  thf* 


"  They  had  better  not  dispute  that  matter  with  a 
man  who  knows  better,"  said  the  other  in  a  voice  of 
portentous  tones,  though  it  seemed  as  deep  and  slug 
gish  as  he  who  uttered  it.  "  I  call  myself  a  fair  trader, 
and  one  who  gives  to  his  chaps  as  good  as  he  re 
ceives.  You  saw  the  Indians  ?"" 

"  I  did  —  they  held  me  a  prisoner,  while  they  stole 
into  your  camp." 

"  It  would  have  been  more  like  a  white-man  and 
a  Christian,  to  have  let  me  known  as  much  in  better 
season  ;"  retorted  Ishmael,  casting  another  ominous 
side-long  glance  at  the  trapper,  as  if  still  meditating 
evil.  "  I  am  not  much  given  to  call  every  man  I  fall 
in  with,  cousin,  but  colour  should  be  something,  when 
Christians  meet  in  such  a  place  as  this.  But  what  is 
done,  is  done,  and  cannot  be  mended,  by  words. 
Come  out  of  your  ambush  boys  ;  here  is  no  one  but 
the  old  man  :  he  has  eaten  of  my  bread,  and  should 
be  a  friend  ;  though  there  is  such  good  reason^to  sus 
pect  him  of  harbouring  with  rny  enemies." 

The  trapper  made  no  reply  to  the  harsh  suspicion 
which  the  other  did  not  scruple  to  utter  without  tho 
smallest  delicacy,  notwithstanding  the  explanations 


84  THE   PRAIRIE. 

and  denials  to  which  he  had  just  listened.  The  sum- 
mons  of  the  unnurtured  squatter  brought  an  iiraned*- 
ate  accession  to  their  party.  Four  or  five  of  his  sons 
made  their  appearance  from  beneath  as  many  covers, 
where  they  had  been  posted  under  the  impression 
that  the  figures  they  had  seenT  on  the  swell  of  the 
prairie,  were  a  part  of  the  SICHIX  band.  As  each 
man  approached,  and  dropped  his  rifle  into  the  hol 
low  of  his  arm,  he  cast  an  indolent  but  inquiring 
glance  at  the  form  of  the  stranger,  though  neither  of 
them  expressed  the  least  curiosity  to  know  whence 
he  had  come  or  why  he  was  there.  This  forbearance, 
however,  proceeded  only  in  part,  from  the  sluggish 
ness  of  their  common  temper  -r  for  long  and  frequent 
experience  in  scenes  of  a  similar  character,.  &ad 
taught  them  the  virtue  of  discretion.  The  trapper 
endured  their  sullen  but  silent  scrutiny  with  the 
steadiness  of  one  as  practise^  as  themselves,  and  with 
the  entire  composure  of  innocence.  Content  with 
the  momentary  examination  he  had  made,  the  eldest 
of  the  groupe,  who  was  in  truth  the  delinquent  sen 
tinel  by  whose  remissness  the  wily  Mahtoree  had  so 
well  profited,  turned  towards  his  father  and  said 
bluntly : 

*  If  this  man  is  all  that  is  left  of  the  party  I  saw 
on  the  upland,  yonder,  we  haven't  altogether  thrown 
away  our  ammunition." 

"  Asa,  you  are  right ;"  said  the  father,  turning  sud 
denly  on  the  trapper,  as  though  a  lost  idea  was  re 
called  by  the  hint  of  his  sluggish  son.  u  How  is  it, 
stranger ;  there  were  three. of  you,  just  now,  or  there 
is  no  virtue  in  moonlight !" 

"  If  you  had  seen  the  Tetons  racing  across  the 
i»rairies,  like  so  many  black-looking  evil-ones,  on  the 
heels  of  your  cattle,  my  friend,  it  would  have  been 
an  easy  matter  to  have  fancied  them-  a  thousand/' 

u  Ay,  for  a  town  bred  boy  or  a  skeary  woman ; 
though*  for  that  matter,  there  is  old  Esther  yon  ;  abe 


THE    PRAIRIE.  86 


has  no  more  fear^of  a  r*»fl-slrin  fhan  of  _g^_«iirjgjing 
.^Slba.orL^f^JEmlfLpiip.  I'll  warrant  ye,  had  your 
stealing  devils  made  their  push  by  the  light  of  the 
sun,  the  good  woman  would  have  been  seen  smartly 
at  work  among  them,  and  the  Siouxes  would  have 
found  she  was  not  given  to  part  with  her  cheese  and 
her  butter  without  a  price.  But  there'll  come  a  time, 
stranger,  right  soon,  when  justice  will  have  its  dues, 
and  that  too,  without  the  help  of  what  is  called  the 
law.  We  ar'  of  a  slow  breed,  it  may  be  said,  and  it 
is  often  said  of  us  ;  but  slow  is  sure  ;  and  there  ar1 
few  men,  living,  who  can  say  they  ever  struck  a 
blow,  that  they  did  not  get  one  as  hard  in  return, 
from  Ishmael  Bush." 

"  Then  has  Ishmael  Bush  followed  the  instinct  of 
the  beasts  rather  than  the  genuine  principle  which 
ought  to  belong  to  his  kind,"  returned  the  stubborn 
trapper.  "  I  have  struck  many  a  blow  myself,  but 
never  have  I  felt  the  same  ease  of  mind  that  of  right 
belongs  to  a  man  who  follows  his  reason,  after  slay 
ing  even  a  fawn  when  there  was  no  call  for  his  meat 
or  hide,  as  I  have  felt  at  leaving  a  Mingo  unburied  in 
the  woods,  when  following  the  trade  of  open  and 
honest  warfare." 

"  What,  you  have  been  a  soldier,  have  you,  trap 
per  !  I  made  a  forage  or  two  among  the  Cherokees, 
when  I  was  a  lad  myself;  and  I  followed  mad  Antho 
ny,  one  season,  through  the  beeches  ;  but  there  was 
altogether  too  much  tatooing  and  regulating  among 
his  troops  for  me  ;  so  I  left  him  without  calling  on 
the  paymaster  to  settle  my  arrearages.  Though,  as 
Esther  afterwards  boasted,  she  had  made  such  use 
of  the  pay-ticket,  that  the  States  gained  no  great 
sum,  by  the  oversight.  You  haveneard  of  such  a 
man  as  mad  Anthony,  if  you  tarried  long  among  the 
soldiers." 

"  I  fou't  my  last  battle,  as  I  hope,  under  his  orders," 
returned  the  trapper,  a  gleam  of  sun-shine  shooting 
H 


88  THE    PRAIRIE. 

a  fact  well  known  to  the  few  who  have  wasted  suffi 
cient  time  to  become  the  masters  of  so  unimportant 
a  subject,  that  the  direct  descendants  of  many  a  fail 
ing  line,  which  the  policy  of  England  has  seen  fit  to 
sustain  by  collateral  supporters,  are  now  discharging 
the  simple  duties  of  citizens  in  the  bosom  of  our  re 
public.  Thehive  has  remained  stationary,  and  they 
who  fjutter_a_rgund  the  venerable  straw  are_3Epjit-tQ 
claim  the  empty  distinction  oi  antiquity,  regardless 

frerof  the  frailty  of  their  tenement  and  of  the  en 
joyments  of  the  numerous  and  vigorous  swarms  that 
aTe~culling  the  fresher  sweets  of  a  virgin  world.  But 
as  this  is  a  subject  which  belongs  rather  to  the  politi 
cian  and  historian  than  to  the  humble  narrator  of  the 
home-bred  incidents  we  are  about  to  reveal,  we  must 
confine  our  reflections  to  such  matters  as  have  an  im 
mediate  relation  to  the  subject  of  the  tale. 

Although  the  citizen  of  the  United  States  may 
claim  so  just  an  ancestry,  he  is  far  from  being  ex 
empt  from  the  penalties  of  his  fallen  race.  Like 
causes  are  well  known  to  produce  like  effects.  That 
tribute,  which,  it  would  seem  nations  must  ever  pay, 
by  way  of  a  weary  probation,  around  the  shrine  of 
Ceres  before  they  can  be  indulged  in  her  fullest  fa 
vours,  is  in  some  measure  exacted  in  America,  from 
the  descendant  instead  of  the  ancestor.  The  march 
of  civilization  with  us,  has  a  strong  analogy  to  that  of 
all  coming  events,  which  are  known  "  to  cast  their 
shadows  before."  The  gradations  of  society,  from 
that  state  which  is 


proaches  as  near  barbarity  as  connexion^with  an  in- 
telligent  people  will  readily  allow,  are  to  be  traced 
from  the  bosom  of  the  states,  where  wealth,  luxury 
and  the_arts_are  beginning  to  seat  themselves^  to 
jjjpse  distajit>_aS3~ey^^eceaIng  borre~whicfi  mark 


the  skirts,  and  announce  the  approach,  oT  the  nation^ 

*a!T  moving  mists  precede  the  signs  of  day. 

TTere,  and  here  only,  is  to  be  found  that  widely 


THE    PRAIRIE.  89 

spread  though  far  from  numerous  class  which  may 
be  at  all  likened  to  those  who  have  paved  the  way 
for  the  intellectual  progress  of  nations,  in  the  old 
world.  The  resemblance  between  the  American 
borderer  and  his  European  prototype  is  singular,  _ 
though  not  always  uniform.  Both  might  be  called 
without  restraint ;  the  one  being  above,  the  other 
beyond  the  reach  of  the  law — brave,  because  they 
were  inured  to  dangers — proud,  because  they  were 
independent,  and  vindictive,  because  each  was  the 
avenger  of  his  own  wrongs.  It  would  be  unjust  to 
the  borderer  to  pursue  the  parallel  much  farther. 
He  is  irreligious,  because  he  has  inherited  the  know 
ledge  that  religion  does  not  exist  in  forms,  and  his 
reason  rejects  a  mockery  that  his  conscience  does 
not  approve.  He  is  not  a  knight,  because  he  has  not 
the  power  to  bestow  distinctions  ;  and  he  has  not  the 
power,  because  he  is  the  offspring  and  not  the  parent 
of  a  system.  In  what  manner  these  several  qualities 
are  exhibited,  in  some  of  the  most  strongly  marked 
of  the  latter  class,  will  be  seen  in  the  course  of  the 
ensuing  narrative. 

Ishmael  Bush  had  passed  the  whole  of  a  life  of 
more  than  fifty  years  on  the  skirts  of  society.    ,H§  ff    / 
boasted  that  jie  had  never  dwelt  where_he L_nng^tjiflt  I V 
salejy_tell  jeyery  tree  Tie^^could  view  from  his  own    { 
tEreshojd  ;  that~The  law  had  rarely  been  known  to    * 
enter  his  clearing,  and  that  his  ears  had  never  willing 
ly  admitted  the  sound  of  a  church  bell.     His  exer 
tions  seldom  exceeded  his  wants,  which  were  peculiar 
to  his  class,  and  rarely  failed  of  being  supplied.     He 
had  no  respect  for  any  learning  except  that  of  the 
leech ;  because  he  was  ignorant  of  the  application 
of  any   other   intelligence,  than   such   as   met   the 
senses.     His  deference  to  this  particular  branch  of 
science  had  induced  him  to  listen  to  the  application 
of  a  medical  man,  whose  thirst  for  natural  history 
had  led  him  to  the  desire  of  profiting  by  the  migra to 
ll  2 


90  THE   PRAIRIE. 

ry  propensities  of  the  squatter.  This  gentleman  he 
had  cordially  received  into  his  family,  or  rather  un 
der  his  protection,  and  they  had  journeyed  together, 
thus  far  through  the  prairies,  in  perfect  harmony 
Ishmael  often  felicitating  his  wife  on  the  possession 
of  a  companion,  who  would  be  so  serviceable  in  their 
new  abode,  wherever  it  might  chance  to  be,  until  the 
family  were  thoroughly  "acclimated."  The  pur 
suits  of  the  naturalist  frequently  led  him,  however, 
for  days  at  a  time,  from  the  direct  line  of  the  route 
of  the  squatter,  who  rarely  seemed  to  have  any  other 
guide  than  the  sun.  Most  men  would  have  deemed 
themselves  fortunate  to  have  been  absent  on  the 
perilous  occasion  of  the  Sioux  inroad,  as  was  Obed 
Bat,  (or  as  he  was  fond  of  hearing  himself  called, 
Battius)  M.  D.  and  fellow  of  several  cis-atlantic 
learned  societies — the  adventurous  gentleman  in 
question. 

Although  the  sluggish  nature  of  Ishmael  was  not 
actually  awakened,  it  was  sorely  pricked  by  the  lib 
erties  which  had  just  been  taken  with  his  property. 
He  slept,  however,  for  it  was  the  hour  he  had  allot 
ted  to  that  refreshment,  and  because  he  knew  how 
impotent  any  exertions  to  recover  his  effects  must 
prove  in  the  darkness  of  midnight.  He  also  knew 
the  danger  of  his  present  situation  too  well,  to  haz 
ard  what  was  left,  in  pursuit  of  that  which  was  lost. 
Much  as  the  inhabitants  of  the  prairies  were  known 
to  love  horses,  their  attachment  to  many  other  arti 
cles,  still  in  the  possession  of  the  travellers,  was 
equally  well  understood.  It  was  a  common  artifice 
to  scatter  the  herds,  and  profit  by  the  confusion.  But, 
Mahtoree,  had  it  would  seem  in  this  particular,  un 
dervalued  the  acuteness  of  the  man  he  had  assailed. 
The  phlegm  with  which  the  squatter  learned  his  loss, 
has  already  been  seen,  and  it  now  remains  to  exhibit 
the  results  of  his  more  matured  determinations. 

Though  the  encampment  contained  many  an  eye 


THE    PRAIRIE  91 

thai  was  long  unclosed,  and  many  an  ear  that  listened 
greedily  to  catch  the  faintest  evidence  of  any  new 
alarm,  it  lay  in  deep  quiet  during  the  remainder  of 
the  night.  Silence  and  fatigue  finally  performed  their 
accustomed  offices,  and  before  the  morning  all  but 
the  sentinels  were  again  buried  in  sleep.  How  well 
these  indolent  watchers  performed  their  duties,  after 
the  assault,  has  never  been  known,  inasmuch  as 
nothing  occurred  to  confirm  or  disprove  their  subse 
quent  vigilance. 

Just  as  day,  however,  began  to  dawn,  and  a  gray 
light  was  falling  from  the  heavens,  on  the  dusky  ob 
jects  of  the  plain,  the  half  startled,  anxious  and  yet 
blooming  countenance  of  Ellen  Wade  was  reared 
above  the  confused  mass  of  children,  among  whom 
she  had  clustered  on  her  stolen  return  to  the  camp 
Arising  warily  she  stepped  lightly  across  the  recum 
bent  bodies,  and  proceeded  with  the  same  caution  to 
the  utmost  limits  of  the  defences  of  Ishmael.  Here, 
she  listened,  as  though  she  doubted  the  propriety  of 
venturing  further.  The  pause  was  only  momentary, 
however ;  and  long  before  the  drowsy  eyes  of  the 
sentinel,  who  overlooked  the  spot  where  she  stood, 
had  time  to  catch  a  glimpse  of  her  active  form,  it 
had  glided  along  the  bottom  and  stood  on  the  summit 
of  the  nearest  eminence. 

Ellen  now  listened  long  and  intently  to  hear  some 
other  sound,  than  the  breathing  of  the  morning  air 
which  faintly  rustled  the  herbage  at  her  feet.  She 
was  about  to  turn  in  disappointment  from  the  inqui 
ry  ,  when  the  sound  of  human  feet  making  their  way 
through  the  matted  grass  met  her  ear.  Springing 
eagerly  forward,  she  soon  beheld  the  outlines  of  a 
figure  advancing  up  the  eminence,  on  the  side  oppo 
site  to  the  camp,  as  though  it  had  caught  the  view  of 
her  own  person  drawn  against  the  heavens.  She  had 
already  uttered  the  name  of  Paul,  and  was  begin 
ning  to  speak  in  the  hurried  a^  d  eager  voice  with 


92  THE    PRAIRIE. 

which  female  affection  is  apt  to  greet  a  friend,  when, 
drawing  back,  the  disappointed  girl  closed  her  saluta 
tion  by  coldly  adding : 

"  I  did  not  expect,  Doctor,  to  meet  you  at  this  un 
usual  hour." 

"  All  hours  and  all  seasons  are  alike,  my  good 
Ellen,  to  the  genuine  lover  of  nature" — returned  a 
small,  slightly  made,  but  exceedingly  active  man, 
dressed  in  an  odd  mixture  of  cloth  and  skins,  a  little 
past  the  middle  age,  who  advanced  directly  to  her 
side,  with  the  familiarity  of  an  old  acquaintance ; 
•4  and  he  who  does  not  know  how  to  find  things  to 
admire  by  this  gray  light,  is  ignorant  of  a  large  por 
tion  of  the  blessings  he  enjoys." 

"  Very  true,"  said  Ellen,  suddenly  recollecting  the 
necessity  of  accounting  for  her  own  appearance 
abroad  at  that"  unseasonable  hour,  "  I  know  many 
who  think  the  earth  has  a  pleasanter  look  in  the 
night,  than  when  seen  by  the  brightest  sunshine." 

"  Ah !  Their  organs  of  sight  must  be  too  convex. 
But  the  man  who  wishes  to  study  the  active  habits 
of  the  feline  race,  or  the  variety,  albinos,  must  be 
stirring  at  this  hour.  I  dare  say,  there  are  men  who 
prefer  even  looking  at  objects  by  twilight,  for  the 
simple  reason,  that  they  see  better  at  that  time  of 
the  day." 

"And  is  this  the  cause  why  you  are  so  much 
abroad  in  the  night  ?" 

"  I  am  abroad  at  night,  my  good  girl,  because  the 
earth  in  its  diurnal  revolutions  leaves  the  light  of  the 
sun  but  half  the  time  on  any  given  meridian,  and  be 
cause  what  I  have  to  do  cannot  be  performed  in 
twelve  or  fifteen  consecutive  hours.  Now  have  I 
been  off  two  days  from  the  family,  in  search  of  a 
plant,  that  is  known  to  exist  on  the  tributaries  of  La 
Platte,  without  seeing  even  a  blade  of  grass  that  is 
not  already  enumerated  and  classed." 

"  You  have  been  unfortunate,  Doctor,  but — " 


THE    FRAIRIE.  93 

"Unfortunate!"  echoed  the  little  man,  sideling 
nigher  to  his  companion,  and  producing  his  tablets 
with  an  air  in  which  exultation  struggled,  strangely, 
with  an  affectation  of  self  abasement.  "  No,  no,  El 
len,  I  am  any  thing  but  unfortunate.  Unless,  indeed 
a  man  may  be  so  called,  whose  fortune  is  made, 
whose  fame  may  be  said  to  be  established  for  ever, 
whose  name  will  go  down  to  posterity  with  that  of 
Buffon — Buffon  !  a  mere  compiler ;  one  who  flour 
ishes  on  the  foundation  of  other  men's  labours.  No  ; 
pari  passu  with  Solander,  who  bought  his  knowledge 
with  pain  and  privations  !" 

"  Have  you  discovered  a  mine,  Doctor  Bat  ?" — 

"  More  than  a  mine  ;  a  treasure  coined,  and  fit  for 
instant  use,  girl — Listen  !  I  was  making  the  angle 
necessary  to  intersect  the  line  of  your  uncle's  march, 
after  my  fruitless  search,  when  I  heard  sounds  like 
the  explosion  produced  by  fire  arms — " 

"  Yes,"  exclaimed  Ellen  eagerly,  "  we  had  an 
alarm — " 

"  And  thought  1  was  lost,"  continued  the  man  ol 
science,  too  much  bent  on  his  own  ideas,  to  under 
stand  her  interruption.  "  Little  danger  of  that.  1 
made  my  own  base,  knew  the  length  of  the  perpen 
dicular  by  calculation,  and  to  draw  the  hypothenuse 
had  nothing  to  do  but  to  work  my  angle.  I  supposed 
the  guns  were  fired  for  my  benefit,  and  changed  my 
course  for  the  sounds — not  that  I  think  the  senses 
more  accurate,  or  even  as  accurate  as  a  mathemati 
cal  calculation,  but  I  feared,  that  some  of  the  chil 
dren  might  need  my  services." 

"  They  are  all  happily — " 

"Listen;"  interrupted  the  other,  already  forget 
ting  his  affected  anxiety  for  his  patients,  in  the  great 
er  importance  of  the  present  subject.  "  I  had  cross 
ed  a  large  tract  of  prairie — for  sound  is  conveyed  far 
where  there  is  little  obstruction — when  I  heard  the 
trampling  of  feet,  as  though  bisons  were  beating  the 


94  THE    PRAIRIE. 

earth.  Then  1  caught  a  distant  view  ol  a  herd  of 
quadrupeds,  rushing  up  and  down  the  swells — ani 
mals,  which  would  have  still  remained  unknown  and 
undescribed,  had  it  not  been  for  a  most  felicitous  acci 
dent  !  One,  and  he  a  noble  specimen  of  the  whole, 
was  running  a  little  apart  from  the  rest.  The  herd 
made  an  inclination  in  my  direction,  in  which  the 
solitary  animal  coincided,  and  this  brought  him  with 
in  fifty  yards  of  where  I  stood.  I  profited  by  the 
opportunity,  and  by  the  aid  of  my  steel  and  taper,  I 
wrote  his  "description  on  the  spot.  I  would  have 
given  a  thousand  dollars,  Ellen,  for  a  single  shot  from 
the  rifle  of  one  of  the  boys  !" 

"  You  carry  a  pistol,  Doctor,  why  didn't  you  use 
it?"  said  the  half  inattentive  girl,  anxiously  examin 
ing  the  prairie,  but  still  lingering  where  she  stood, 
quite  willing  to  be  detained. 

"  Ay,  but  it  carries  itself  nothing  but  the  most 
minute  particles  of  lead,  adapted  to  the  destruction 
of  the  larger  insects  and  reptiles.  No,  I  did  better 
than  to  attempt  waging  a  war,  in  which  I  could  not  be 
the  victor.  I  recorded  the  event ;  noting  each  par 
ticular  with  the  precision  necessary  to  science.  You 
shall  hear,  Ellen  ;  for  you  are  a  good  and  improving 
girl,  and  by  retaining  what  you  learn  in  this  way, 
may  yet  be  of  great  service  to  learning,  should  any 
accident  occur  to  me.  Indeed,  my  worthy  Ellen, 
mine  is  a  pursuit,  which  has  its  dangers  as  well  as 
that  of  the  warrior.  This  very  night,"  he  continued, 
glancing  his  eye,  involuntarily  behind  him,  c'  this  aw 
ful  night,  has  the  principle  of  life,  itself,  been  in 
great  danger  of  extinction  !" 

"By  what?" 

•  "  By  the  monster  I  have  discovered.  It  approach 
ed  me  often,  and  ever  as  I  receded,  it  continued 
to  advance.  I  believe  nothing  but  the  little  lamp,  I 
carried,  was  my  protector.  I  kept  it  between  us, 
whilst  I  wrote,  making  it  serve  the  double  purpose 


THE    PRAIRIE.  95 

of  a  luminary  and  a  shield.  But  you  shall  hear  the 
character  of  the  beast,  and  you  may  then  judge  of 
the  risk  we  promoters  of  science  run  in  behalf  of 
mankind." 

The  naturalist  now  raised  his  tablets  to  the  hea^ 
vens  and  disposed  himself  to  read  as  well  as  he  could, 
by  the  dim  light  they  yet  shed  upon  the  plain ;  pre 
mising  with  saying — 

"  Listen,  girl,  and  you  shall  hear,  with  what  a 
treasure  it  has  been  my  happy  lot  to  enrich  the 
pages  of  natural  history  !" 

"  Is  it  then  a  creature  of  your  forming,"  said 
Ellen,  turning  away  from  her  fruitless  examination, 
with  a  sudden  lighting  of  her  sprightly  blue  eyes, 
that  shewed  she  knew  how  to  play  with  the  foible  of 
her  learned  companion. 

"  Is  the  power  to  give  life  to  inanimate  matter  the 
gift  of  man?  I  would  it  were  !  You  should  speedily 
see  a  Historia  naturalis  Americana,  that  would  put 
the  sneering  imitators  of  the  Frenchman  de  Button 
to  shame  !  A  great  improvement  might  be  made  in 
the  formation  of  all  quadrupeds  in  particular ;  espe 
cially  those,  in  which  velocity  is  a  virtue.  Two  of 
the  inferior  limbs  should  be  on  the  principle  of  the 
lever ;  wheels,  perhaps,  as  they  are  now  formed ; 
though  I  have  not  yet  determined  whether  the  im 
provement  might  be  better  applied  to  the  anterior  or 
posterior  members,  inasmuch  as  I  am  yet  to  learn 
whether  dragging  or  shoving  requires  the  greatest!  . 
muscular  exertion.  A  natural  exudation  of  the  ani-l/ 
mal  might  assist  in  overcoming  the  friction,  and  a  I  " 
powerful  momentum  be  obtained.  But  all  this  isl 
hopeless — at  least  for  the  present !" — he  added,  with* 
a  slight  sigh,  raising  his  tablets  again  to  the  light  and 
reading  aloud ;  "  Oct.  6,  1805,  that's  merely  the 
date,  which  I  dare  say  you  know  better  than  I — mem. 
Quadruped;  seen  by  star-light,  and  by  the  aid  of  a 


96  THE    PRAIRIE. 

pocket-lamp,  in  the  prairies  of  North  America — see 
Journal  for  Latitude  and  Meridian.  Genus — un 
known:  therefore  named  after  the  discoverer,  and 
from  the  happy  coincidence  of  being  seen  in  the 
evening — Vespertilio  Horribilis,  Jlmericanus.  Dimen 
sions  (by  estimation) — Greatest  length,  eleven  feet  , 
height,  six  feet ;  head,  erect ;  nostrils,  expansive 
eyes,  expressive  and  fierce  ;  teeth,  serrated  and  abun 
dant;  tail,  horizontal,  waving  and  slightly  feline ;  feet, 
large  and  hairy  ;  talons,  long,  curvated,  dangerous  ; 
ears,  inconspicuous  ;  horns,  elongated,  diverging  and 
formidable  ;  colour,  plumbeous-ashy  with  fiery  spots ; 
voice,  sonorous,  martial  and  appalling ;  habits,  grega 
rious,  carnivorous,  fierce  and  fearless.  There,"  ex 
claimed  Obed,  when  he  had  ended  this  sententious 
but  comprehensive  description,  "  there  is  an  animal, 
which  will  be  likely  to  dispute  with  the  lion  his  title 
to  be  called  the  king  of  the  beasts  !" 

"  I  know  not  the  meaning  of  all  you  have  said, 
Doctor  Battius,"  returned  the  quick-witted  girl,  who 
understood  the  weakness  of  the  philosopher,  and 
often  indulged  him  with  a  title  he  loved  so  well  to 
hear,  "  but  I  shall  think  it  dangerous  to  venture  far 
from  the  camp,  if  such  monsters  are  prowling  over 
the  prairies." 

"  You  may  well  call  it  prowling,"  returned  the 
naturalist,  nestling  still  closer  to  her  side,  and  drop 
ping  his  voice  to  such  low  and  perhaps  undignified 
tones  of  confidence  as  possibly  conveyed  a  meaning 
still  more  pointed  than  he  had  intended.  "  I  have 
never  before  experienced  such  a  trial  of  the  nervous 
system ;  there  was  a  moment  I  acknowledge,  when 
thefortiter  in  re  faltered  before  so  terrible  an  enemy 
but  the  love  of  natural  science  bore  me  up,  and 
brought  me  off  in  triumph  !" 

"  You  speak  a  language  so  different  from  that  WP 
use  in  Tennessee,"  said  Ellen,  struggling  to  conceal 


THE    PRAIRIE. 


97 


her  laughter,  "  that  I  hardly  know  whether  I  under 
stand  your  meaning.  If  I  am  right,  you  wish  to  say 
you  were  a  little  chicken-hearted." 

"An  absurd  simile  drawn  from  an  ignorance  of  the 
formation  of  the  biped.  The  heart  of  a  chicken  has 
a  just  proportion  to  its  other  organs,  and  the  domes 
tic  fowl  is,  in  a  state  of  nature,  a  gallant  bird.  "  El 
len,"  he  added  with  a  countenance  so  solemn  as  to 
produce  an  impression  on  the  attentive  girl,  "  1  was 
pursued,  hunted,  and  in  a  danger  that  I  scorn  to 
dwell  on— what's  that?" 

Ellen  started ;  for  the  earnestness  and  simple  sin 
cerity  of  her  companion's  manner  had  produced  a 
certain  degree  of  credulity  even  on  her  buoyant 
mind.  Looking  in  the  direction  indicated  by  the 
Doctor,  she  beheld,  in  fact,  a  beast  coursing  over  the 
prairie,  and  making  a  straight  and  rapid  approach  to 
the  very  spot  they  occupied.  The  day  was  not  yet 
far  enough  advanced  to  enable  her  to  distinguish  its 
form  and  character,  though  enough  was  discernible 
to  induce  her  to  imagine  it  a  fierce  and  savage 
animal. 

"  It  comes,  it  comes !"  exclaimed  the  Doctor, 
fumbling,  by  a  sort  of  instinct,  for  his  tablets,  while 
he  fairly  tottered  on  his  feet  under  the  powerful  ef 
forts  he  made  to  maintain  his  ground.  "  Now,  Ellen, 
has  fortune  given  me  an  opportunity  to  correct  the 
errors  made  by  star-light, — hold, — ashy-plumbeous, 
— no  ears, — horns,  excessive." — His  quivering  voice 
and  shaking  hand  were  both  arrested  by  a  roar,  or 
rather  a  shriek  from  the  beast,  that  was  sufficiently 
terrific  to  appal  even  a  stouter  heart  than  that  of  the 
naturalist.  The  cries  of  the  animal  passed  over  the 
prairie  in  strange  and  savage  cadences,  and  then  suc 
ceeded  a  deep  and  solemn  silence,  that  was  omy  bro 
ken  by  a  heart-felt  and  uncontrolled  fit  of  merriment 
from  the  more  musical  voice  of  Ellen  Wade.  In 
t.h*»  mean  time  the  naturalist  stood  like  a  statue  of 
I 


98  THE   PRAIRIE. 

amazement,  permitting  a  well-grown  ass,  against 
whose  approach  he  no  longer  offered  his  boasted 
shield  of  light,  to  srnell  about  his  person,  without 
comment  or  hindrance. 

"  It  is  your  own  ass  !"  cried  Ellen,  the  instant  she 
found  breath  for  words ;  "  your  own  patient,  hard 
working,  hack !" 

The  Doctor  rolled  his  eyes  wildly  from  the  beast 
to  the  speaker,  and  from  the  speaker  to  the  beast ; 
but  gave  no  audible  expression  of  his  wonder. 

"  Do  you  refuse  to  know  an  animal  that  has  la 
boured  so  long  in  your  service  !"  continued  the  still 
laughing  girl.  "  A  beast,  that  I  have  heard  you  say 
a  thousand  times,  has  served  you  well,  and  whom 
you  loved  like  a  brother !" 

"  Asinus  domesticus !"  ejaculated  the  Doctor, 
drawing  his  breath  like  one  who  had  been  near  suf 
focation.  "  There  is  no  doubt  of  the  genus  ;  and  I 
will  always  maintain  that  the  animal  is  not  of  the 
species  equus.  This  is  undeniably  Asinus  himself, 
Ellen  Wade ;  but  this  is  not  the  Vespertilio  horribilis 
of  the  prairies  !  Very  different  animals,  I  can  assure 
you,  young  woman,  and  differently  characterised  in 
every  important  particular.  That,  carnivorous,"  he 
continued,  glancing  his  eye  at  the  open  page  of  his 
tablets  ;  "  this,  granivorous ;  habits,  fierce,  danger 
ous  ;  habits,  patient,  abstemious ;  ears,  inconspicu 
ous ;  ears,  elongated;  horns,  diverging,  etc.  horns, 
none !" 

He  was  interrupted  by  another  burst  of  merriment 
from  Ellen,  which  served,  in  some  measure,  to  recall 
him  to  his  recollection. 

"  The  image  of  the  Vespertilio  was  on  the  retina," 
the  astounded  enquirer  into  the  secrets  of  nature  ob 
served,  in  a  manner  that  seemed  a  little  apologetic, 
"  and  I  wao  silly  enough  to  mistake  my  own  faithful 
beast  for  the  monster  ?  Though  even  now  I  greatly 
marvel  to  see  the  animal  running  at  large  I" 


THE    PRAIRIE.  99 

Ellen  then  proceeded  to  explain,  in  detail,  Ihe  his 
tory  of  the  attack  and  its  results.  She  described, 
with  an  accuracy  that  might  have  raised  suspicions 
of  her  own  movements  in  the  mind  of  one  less  sim 
ple  than  her  auditor,  the  manner  in  which  the  beasts 
burst  out  of  the  encampment  and  the  headlong  speed 
with  which  they  had  dispersed  themselves  over  the 
open  plain.  Although  she  forbore  to  say  as  much  in 
terms,  she  so  managed  as  to  present  before  the  eyes 
of  her  listener  the  strong  probability  of  his  having 
mistaken  the  frightened  drove  for  savage  beasts,  and 
then  terminated  her  account  by  a  lamentation  for 
their  loss,  and  some  very  natural  remarks  on  the 
helpless  condition  in  which  it  had  left  the  family. 
The  naturalist  listened  in  silent  wonder,  neither  in 
terrupting  her  narrative  nor  suffering  a  single  excla 
mation  of  surprise  to  escape  him.  The  keen-eyed 
girl,  however,  saw  that  as  she  proceeded,  the  impor 
tant  leaf  was  torn  from  the  tablets,  in  a  manner 
which  shewed  that  their  owner  had  got  rid  of  his 
delusion  at  the  same  instant.  From  that  moment 
the  world  has  heard  no  more  of  the  Vespertilio  hor- 
ribilis  Americanus,  and  the  natural  sciences  have 
irretrievably  lost  an  important  link  in  that  great 
animated  chain  which  is  said  to  connect  earth  and 
heaven,  and  in  which  man  is  thought  to  be  so  fa 
miliarly  complicated  with  the  monkey. 

When  Dr.  Batt  was  put  in  full  possession  of  all 
the  circumstances  of  the  inroad,  his  concern  imme 
diately  took  a  different  direction.  He  had  left  sun 
dry  folios,  and  certain  boxes  well  stored  with  botan 
ical  specimens  and  defunct  animals,  under  the  good 
keeping  of  Ishmael,  and  it  immediately  struck  his 
acute  mind,  that  marauders  as  subtle  as  the  Siouxes 
would  never  neglect  the  opportunity  to  despoil  him 
of  these  treasures.  Nothing  that  Ellen  could  say  to  the 
contrary  served  to  appease  his  apprehensions,  and, 
consequently,  they  separated ;  he  to  relieve  his  doubts 


100  THE    PRAIRIE. 

and  fears  together,  and  she  to  glide,  as  swiftly  and 
silently  as  she  had  just  before  passed  it,  into  the  still 
and  solitary  tent. 


CHAPTER  VII. 

"  What,  fifty  of  my  followers,  at  a  clap  !" 

Lear. 

THE  day  had  now  fairly  opened  on  the  seemingly 
interminable  waste  of  the  prairie.  The  entrance  of 
Obed  at  such  a  moment  into  the  camp,  accompanied 
as  it  was  by  vociferous  lamentations  over  his  antici 
pated  loss,  did  not  fail  to  rouse  the  drowsy  family  of 
the  squatter.  Ishmael  and  his  sons,  together  with  the 
forbidding-looking  brother  of  his  wife,  were  all  speed 
ily  afoot  ;  and  then,  as  the  sun  began  to  shed  his 
light  on  the  place,  they  became  gradually  apprised  of 
the  extent  of  their  loss. 

Ishmael  looked  round  upon  the  motionless  and 
heavily  loaded  vehicles  with  his  teeth  firmly  com 
pressed,  cast  a  glance  at  the  amazed  and  helpless 
groupe  of  children,  which  clustered  around  their  sul 
len  but  despondent  mother,  and  walked  out  upon  the 
open  land,  as  if  he  found  the  air  of  the  encampment 
too  confined  to  breathe  in.  He  was  followed  by  sev 
eral  of  the  men,  who  were  his  attentive  observers, 
watching  the  dark  expression  of  his  eye  as  the  index 
of  their  own  future  movements.  The  whole  pro 
ceeded  in  profound  and  moody  silence  to  the  summit 
of  the  nearest  swell,  whence  they  could  command 
an  almost  boundless  view  of  the  naked  plains.  Here 
nothing  was  visible  but  a  solitary  buffaloe,  that  glean 
ed  a  meagre  subsistence  from  the  decaying  herbage, 
at  no  great  distance,  and  the  ass  of  the  physician, 
who  profited  by  his  freedom  to  enjoy  a  richer  meal 
than  common. 


THE    PRAIRIE.  101 

"  Yonder  is  one  of  the  creatures  left  by  the  vil 
lains  to  mock  us,"  said  Ishmael,  glancing  his  eye 
towards  the  latter,  "and  that  the  meanest  of  the 
stock.  This  is  a  hard  country  to  make  a  crop  in, 
boys ;  and  yet  food  must  be  found  to  fill  so  many 
hungry  mouths." 

"  The  rifle  is  better  than  the  hoe,  in  wicU  i  jplace 
as  this,"  returned  the  eldest  of  his  sons,  kicking  the 
hard  and  thirsty  soil  on  which  he  stood,  with  aa  air 
of  fierce  scorn.  "  It  is  good  for  such  as  they  who 
make  their  dinner  better  on  beggars'  beans  than  on 
homminy.  A  crow  would  shed  tears  if  forced  to  fly 
across  the  district." 

"  What  say  you,  trapper ;"  returned  the  father, 
showing  the  slight  impression  his  powerful  heel  had 
made  on  the  compact  earth,  and  laughing  with  fright 
ful  ferocity.  "Is  this  the  quality  of  land  a  man 
would  choose  who  never  troubles  the  county  clerk 
with  title  deeds !" 

"  There  is  richer  soil  in  the  bottoms,"  returned 
the  old  man  calmly,  "  and  you  have  passed  millions 
of  acres  to  get  to  this  dreary  spot,  where  he  who 
loves  to  till  the  'arth  might  have  received  bushels  in 
return  for  pints,  and  that  too  at  the  cost  of  no  very 
grievous  labour.  If  you  have  come  in  search  of 
land,  you  have  journeyed  hundreds  of  miles  too  far, 
or  as  many  leagues  too  little." 

"  There  is  then  a  better  choice  towards  the  other 
Ocean  ?"  demanded  the  squatter,  pointing  in  the 
direction  of  the  Pacific. 

"  There  is,  and  I  have  seen  it  all ;"  was  the  answer 
of  the  other,  who  dropped  his  rifle  to  the  earth,  and 
stood  leaning  on  its  barrel,  like  one  who  recalled  the 
scenes  he  had  witnessed  with  melancholy  pleasure. 
;t  I  have  seen  the  waters  of  the  two  seas  !  On  one 
of  them  was  I  born,  and  raised  to  be  a  lad  like  yon 
der  tumbling  boy.  America  has  grown,  my  men, 
since  the  days  of  my  youth,  to  be  a  country  larger 
I  2 


102  THE    PRAIRIE. 

than  I  once  had  thought  the  world  itself  to  be.  Near 
seventy  years  I  dwelt  in  York,  province  and  state 
together — You've  been  in  York,  'tis  like  ?" 

"  Not  I — not  I ;  I  never  visited  the  towns  ;  but 
often  have  hea*rd  the  place  you  speak  of  named. 
'Tis  a  wide  clearing  there,  I  reckon — " 

"Too  wide!  too  wide!  They  scourge  the  very 
'arth  with  their  axes.  Such  hills  and  hunting-grounds 
aL  1  have  s«en  stripped  of  the  gifts  of  the  Lord,  with 
out  remorse  or  shame  !  I  tarried  till  the  mouths  of 
my  hounds  were  deafened  by  the  blows  of  the  chop 
per,  and  then  I  came  west  in  search  of  quiet.  It  was 
a  grievous  journey  that  I  made ;  a  grievous  toil  to 
pass  through  falling  timber  and  breathe  the  thick  air 
of  smoky  clearings,  week  after  week,  as  I  did !  'Tis 
a  far  country  too,  that  state  of  York  from  this  !" 

"  It  lies  ag'in  the  outer  edge  of  old  Kentuck,  ] 
reckon ;  though  what  the  distance  may  be  I  never 
knew." 

"  A  gull  would  have  to  fan  a  thousand  miles  of  air, 
to  find  the  eastern  sea.  And  yet  it  is  no  mighty  reach 
to  hunt  across,  when  shade  and  game  are  plenty ! 
The  time  has  been  when  I  followed  the  deer  in  the 
mountains  of  the  Delaware  and  Hudson,  and  took 
the  beaver  on  the  streams  of  the  upper  lakes,  in  the 
same  season :  but  my  eye  was  quick  and  certain  at 
that  day,  and  my  limbs  were  like  the  legs  of  a  moose ! 
The  dam  of  Hector,"  he  added,  dropping  his  look 
kindly  to  the  aged  hound  that  crouched  at  his  feet, 
4  was  then  a  pup,  and  apt  to  open  on  the  game  the 
moment  she  struck  the  scent.  She  gave  me  a  deal 
of  trouble,  that  slut,  she  did." 

"  Your  hound  is  old,  stranger,  and  a  rap  on  the 
head  would  prove  a  mercy  to  the  beast." 

"  The  dog  is  like  his  master,"  returned  the  trap 
per,  without  appearing  to  heed  the  brutal  advice  the 
other  gave,  "and  will  number  his  days,  when  his 
work  amongst  the  game  is  over,  and  not'  before.  To 


THE    PRAIRIE.  103 

my  eye  things  seem  ordered  to  meet  each  other  in 
this  creation.  'Tis  not  the  swiftest  running  deer  that 
always  throws  off  the  hounds,  nor  the  biggest  arm 
that  holds  the  truest  rifle.  Look  around  you,  men  ; 
what  will  the  Yankee  Choppers  say,  when  they  have 
cut  their  path  from  the  eastern  to  the  western  waters, 
and  find  that  a  hand,  which  can  lay  the  'arth  bare  at 
a  blow,  has  been  here  and  swept  the  country,  in  very 
mockery  of  their  wickedness.  They  will  turn  on 
their  tracks  like  a  fox  that  doubles,  and  then  the  rank 
smell  of  their  own  footsteps  will  show  them  the  mad 
ness  of  their  waste.  Howsomever,  these  are  thoughts 
that  are  more  likely  to  rise  in  him  who  has  seen  the 
folly  of  eighty  seasons,  than  to  teach  wisdom  to  men 
svill  bent  on  the  pleasures  of  their  kind  !  You  have 
need  yet,  of  a  stirring  time,  if  you  think  to  escape 
the  craft  and  hatred  of  the  burnt-wood  Indians. 
They  claim  to  be  the  lawful  owners  of  this  country, 
and  seldom  leave  a  white  more  than  the  skin  he 
boasts  of,  when  once  they  get  the  power,  as  they  al 
ways  have  the  will,  to  do  him  harm." 

"  Old  man,"  said  Ishmael  sternly,  "  to  which  peo 
ple  do  you  belong?  You  have  the  colour  and  speech 
of  a  Christian,  while  it  seems  that  your  heart  is  with 
the  red-skins." 

"  To  me  there  is  little  difference  in  nations.  The 
people  I  loved  most  are  scattered  as  the  sands  of  the 
dry  river  beds  fly  before  the  fall  hurricanes,  and  life 
is  too  short  to  make  use  and  custom  with  strangers, 
as  one  can  do  with  such  as  he  has  dwelt  amongst  for 
years.  Still  am  I  a  man  without  the  cross  of  Indian 
blood  ;  and  what  is  due  from  a  warrior  to  his  nation, 
is  owing  by  me  to  the  people  of  the  states ;  though 
little  need  have  they,  with  their  militia  and  their 
armed  boats,  of  help  from  a  single  arm  of  fourscore." 

"Since  you  own  your  kin  I  may  ask  a  simple 
question.  Where  are  the  Siouxes  who  have  stolen 
my  cattle  ?" 


104  THE    PRAIRIE. 

"  Where  is  the  herd  of  buffaloes,  which  was  chased 
by  the  panther  across  this  plain,  no  later  than  the 
morning  of  yesterday  !  It  is  as  hard — " 

"  Friend,"  said  Dr.  Battius,  who  had  hitherto  been 
an  attentive  listener,  but  who  now  felt  a  sudden  im 
pulse  to  mingle  in  the  discourse,  u  1  am  grieved 
when  I  find  a  venator  or  hunter,  of  your  experience 
and  observation,  following  the  current  of  vulgar  er 
ror.  The  animal  you  describe  is  in  truth  a  species 
of  the  bos  ferus  (or  bos  sylvestris,  as  he  has  been 
happily  called  by  the  poets) y  but,  though  of  close 
affinity,  is  altogether  distinct  from  the  common  bubu- 
lus.  Bison  is  the  better  word,  and  I  would  suggest 
the  necessity  of  adopting  it  in  future,  when  you  shall 
have  occasion  to  allude  to  the  species." 

"  Bison  or  buffaloe,  it  makes  but  little  matter. 
The  creatur'  is  the  same,  call  it  bv  what  name  you 
will,  and—" 

"  Pardon  me,  venerable  venator ;  as  classification 
is  the  very  soul  of  the  natural  sciences,  the  animal 
or  vegetable  must,  of  necessity,  be  characterised  by 
the  peculiarities  of  its  species,  which  is  always  in 
dicated  by  the  name — " 

"Friend,"  said  the  trapper,  a  little  positively, 
"  would  the  tail  of  a  beaver  make  the  worse  dinner, 
for  calling  it  a  mink ;  or  could  you  eat  of  the  wolf 
with  relish,  because  some  bookish  man  had  given  it 
the  name  of  venison  ?" 

As  these  questions  were  put  with  no  little  earnest 
ness  and  some  spirit,  there  was  every  probability  that 
a  hot  discussion  would  have  succeeded  between  the 
two,  of  whom  one  was  so  purely  practical  and  the 
other  so  much  given  to  theory,  had  not  Ishmael  seen 
fit  to  terminate  the  dispute,  by  bringing  into  view  a 
subject  that  was  much  more  important  to  his  own 
immediate  interests. 

"  Beavers'  tails  and  minks'  flesh  may  do  to  talk 
about  before  a  maple  fi  e  ard  a  quiet  hearth*"  inter- 


THE    PRAIRIE. 


m 


rupted  the  squatter,  without  the  smallest  deference 
to  the  interested  feelings  of  the  disputants;  "but 
there  is  something  more  than  foreign  words,  or 
words  of  any  sort,  now  needed.  Tell  me,  trapper ; 
where  are  your  Siouxes  skulking  ?" 

"  It  would  be  as  easy  to  tell  you  the  colours  of 
the  hawk  that  is  floating  beneath  yonder  white  cloud 
When  a  red-skin  strikes  his  blow,  he  is  not  apt  to 
wait  until  he  is  paid  for  the  evil  deed  in  lead." 

"Will  the  beggarly  savages  believe  they  have 
enough  when  they  find  themselves  master  of  all  the 
stock  ?" 

"  Natur'  is  much  the  same^,  let  it  be  covered  by 
what  coloured  skin  it  may.  Do  you  ever  find  your 
longings  after  riches  less  when  you  have  made  a  good 
crop,  than  before  you  were  master  of  a  kernel  of 
corn  ?  If  you  do,  you  differ  from  what  the  experi 
ence  of  a  long  life  tells  me  is  the  common  cravings 
of  man.1" 

"  Speak  plainly,  old  stranger,"  said  the  squatter, 
striking  the  butt  of  his  rifle  heavily  on  the  earth,  his 
dull  capacity  finding  no  pleasure  in  a  discourse  that 
was  conducted  in  such  obscure  allusions ;  "  I  have 
asked  a  simple  question,  and  one  I  know  well  that 
you  can  answer." 

"  You  are  right,  you  are  right.  I  can  answer,  for 
I  have  too  often  seen  the  disposition  of  my  kind  to 
mistake  it,  when  evil  is  stirring.  When  the  Siouxes 
have  gathered  in  the  beasts,  and  have  made  sure  that 
you  are  not  upon  their  heels,  they  will  be  back  nib 
bling  like  hungry  wolves  to  take  the  bait  they  have 
left :  or  it  may  be,  they'll  shew  the  temper  of  the 
great  bears,  that  are  found  at  the  falls  of  the  Long 
River,  and  strike  at  once  with  the  paw,  without  stop 
ping  tc  nose  their  prey." 

"  You  have  then  seen,  the  animals  you  mention !" 
exclaimed  Dr.  Battius,  who  had  now  been  thrown 


106  THE    PRAIRIE. 

out  of  the  conversation  quite  as  long  as  his  impa- 
ticnce  could  well  brook,  and  who  approached  the 
subject  with  his  tablets  ready  opened,  as  a  book  ot 
reference.  "  Can  you  tell  me  if  what  you  encoun 
tered  was  of  the  species,  ursus  horribilis  —  with  the 
ears,  rounded—  -front,  arquated  —  eyes  —  destitute  of 
the  remarkable  supplemental  lid  —  with  six  incisores, 
one  false,  and  four  perfect  molares  —  " 

"  Trapper,  go  on,"  interrupted  Ishmael;  "you  be 
lieve  we  shall  see  more  of  the  robbers." 

"  Nay  —  nay  —  I  do  not  call  them  robbers,  for  it  is 
the  usage  of  their  people,  and  what  may  be  called 


"  I  have  come  five  hundred  miles  to  find  a  place 
where  no  man  can  ding  the  words  of  the  law  in  my 
ears,"  said  Ishmael,  fiercely,  "  and  I  am  not  in  a 
humour  to  stand  quietly  at  a  bar,  while  a  red-skin 
sits  in  judgment.  I  tell  you,  trapper,  if  another 
Sioux  is  seen  prowling  around  my  camp,  wherever 
it  may  be,  he  shall  feel  the  contents  of  old  Kentuck," 
slapping  his  rifle,  in  a  manner  that  could  not  be  easily 
misconstrued,  "  though  he  wore  the  medal  of  Wash 
ington,  himself;  I  call  the  man  a  robber  who  takes 

^that  which  is  not  his  own." 

1™"  "  The  Teton,  and  the  Pawnee,  and  the  Konza, 

land  men  of  a  dozen  other  tribes,  claim  to  own  these 

{naked  fields." 

*  "  Natur'  gives  them  the  lie  in  their  teeth.  The 
air,  the  water  and  the  ground,  are  all  free  gifts  to 
man,  and  no  one  has  the  power  to  portion  them  out 
in  parcels.  Man  must  drink,  and  breathe,  and  walk 
—  and  therefore  each  has  a  right  to  his  perfect  share 
of  'arth.  Why  do  not  the  surveyors  of  the  states 
set  their  compasses  and  run  their  lines  over  our 
heads  as  well  as  beneath  our  feet?  Why  do  they 
not  cover  their  shining  sheep-skins  with  big  words, 
giving  to  the  land-holder,  or  perhaps  he  should  be 


THE    PRAIRIE.  107 

called  air-holder,  so  many  rods  of  heaven,  with  the 
use  of  such  a  star  for  a  boundary-mark,  and  such  a 
cloud  to  turn  a  mill !" 

As  the  squatter  uttered  his  wild  conceit,  he  laugh 
ed  from  the  very  bottom  of  his  chest  in  scorn.  The 
deriding  but  frighful  merriment  passed  from  the 
mouth  of  one  of  his  ponderous  sons  to  that  of  the 
other,  until  it  had  made  the  circuit  of  the  whole 
family. 

"  Come,  trapper,"  continued  Ishmael  in  a  tone  of 
better  humour,  like  a  man  who  feels  that  he  has  tri 
umphed,  "  neither  of  us,  I  reckon,  has  ever  had  much 
to  do  with  title-deeds,  or  county  clerks,  or  blazed 
trees ;  therefore  we  will  not  waste  words  on  foole 
ries.  You  ar'  a  man  that  has  tarried  long  in  this 
clearing,  and  now  I  ask  your  opinion,  face  to  face, 
without  fear  or  favour,  if  you  had  the  lead  in  my 
business,  what  would  you  do  ?" 

The  old  man  hesitated,  and  seemed  to  give  the  re 
quired  advice  with  deep  reluctance.  As  every  eye, 
however,  was  fastened  on  him,  and  whichever  way 
he  turned  his  face,  he  encountered  a  look  riveted  on 
the  lineaments  of  his  own  working  countenance,  he 
answered  in  a  low,  melancholy  tone — 

u  I  have  seen  too  much  mortal  blood  poured  out 
in  empty  quarrels,  to  wish  ever  to  hear  an  angry  rifle 
again.  Ten  weary  years  have  I  sojourned  alone  on 
these  naked  plains,  waiting  for  my  hour  to  come,  and 
not  a  blow  have  I  struck,  ag'in  an  enemy  more  hu 
manized  than  the  grizzly  bear." 

"  Ursus  horribilis,"  muttered  the  Doctor. 

The  speaker  paused  at  the  sound  of  the  other's 
voice,  but  perceiving  it  was  no  more  than  a  sort  of 
mental  ejaculation,  he  continued  in  the  same  strain — 

"  More  humanized  than  the  grizzly  bear,  or  the 
panther  of  the  Rocky  Mountains ;  unless  the  beaver 
which  is  a  wise  and  knowing  anirml,  may  be  so 


J08  THE    PRAIRIE. 

reckoned.  What  would  I  advise  ?  Even  the  female 
buffaloe  will  fight  for  her  young  !" 

"  It  never  then  shall  be  said,  that  Ishmael  Bush 
has  less  kindness  for  his  children  than  the  bear  for 
her  cubs !" 

"And  yet  this  is  but  a  naked  spot  for  a  dozen  men 
to  make  head  in,  ag'in  five  hundred." 

"  Ay,  it  is  so,"  returned  the  squatter,  glancing  his 
eye  towards  his  humble  camp;  "but  something 
might  be  done,  with  the  wagons  and  the  cotton- 
wood." 

The  trapper  shook  his  head  inciedulously,  and 
pointed  across  the  rolling  plain  in  the  direction  of  the 
west,  as  he  answered — 

"  A  rifle  would  send  a  bullet  from  these  hills  into 
your  very  sleeping-cabins  ;  nay,  arrows  from  the 
thicket  in  your  rear  would  keep  you  all  burrowed, 
like  so  many  prairie  dogs:  it  wouldn't  do,  it  wouldn't 
do.  Three  long  miles  from  this  spot  is  a  place,  where 
as  1  have  often  thought  in  passing  across  the  desert, 
a  stand  might  be  made  for  days  and  weeks  together, 
if  there  were  hearts  and  hands  ready  to  engage  in 
the  bloody  work." 

Another  low,  deriding  laugh  passed  among  the 
young  men,  announcing,  in  a  manner  sufficiently  in 
telligible,  their  readiness  to  undertake  a  task  even 
more  arduous.  The  squatter  himself  eagerly  seized 
the  hint  which  had  been  so  reluctantly  extorted 
from  the  trapper,  who  by  some  singular  process 
of  reasoning  had  evidently  persuaded  himself  that  it 
was  his  duty  to  be  strictly  neutral.  A  few  direct 
and  pertinent  inquiries  served  to  obtain  the  little  ad 
ditional  information  that  was  necessary,  in  order  to 
make  the  contemplated  movement,  and  then  Ish- 
maei,  who  was,  on  emergencies,  as  terrifically  ener 
getic,  a?  h*  was  sluggish  in  common,  set  about  effect 
ing  his  object  without  del  ly. 


THE    PRAIRIE.  109 

Notwithstanding  the  industry  and  zeal  of  all  en 
gaged,  the  task  however,  was  one  of  great  labour  and 
difficulty.  The  loaded  vehicles  were  to  be  drawn, 
by  hand,  across  a  wide  distance  of  plain,  without 
track  or  guide  of  any  sort,  except  that  which  the 
trapper  furnished  by  communicating  his  knowledge 
of  the  cardinal  points  of  the  compass.  In  accom 
plishing  this  object,  the  gigantic  strength  of  the  men 
was  taxed  to  the  utmost,  nor  were  the  females  or  the 
children  spared  a  heavy  proportion  of  the  toil. 
While  the  sons  distributed  themselves  about  the 
heavily  loaded  wagons,  and  drew  them  by  main 
strength  up  the  neighbouring  swell,  their  mother  and 
Ellen,  surrounded  by  the  amazed  groupe  of  little 
ones,  followed  slowly  in  the  rear,  bending  under  the 
weight  of  such  different  articles  as  were  suited  to 
their  several  strengths. 

Ishmael  himself  superintended  and  directed  the 
whole,  occasionally  applying  his  colossal  shoulder  to 
some  lagging  vehicle,  until  he  saw  that  the  chief  dif 
ficulty,  that  of  gaining  the  level  of  their  intended 
route,  was  accomplished.  Then  he  pointed  out  the 
required  course,  cautioning  his  sons  to  proceed  in 
such  a  manner  that  they  should  not  lose  the  advan 
tage  they  had  with  so  much  labour  obtained,  and 
beckoning  to  the  brother  of  his  wife,  they  returned 
together  to  the  empty  camp. 

Throughout  the  whole  of  this  movement,  which 
occupied  an  hour  of  time,  the  trapper  had  stood 
apart,  leaning  on  his  rifle,  with  the  aged  hound  slum 
bering  at  his  feet,  a  silent  but  attentive  observer  of 
all  that  passed.  Occasionally,  a  smile  lighted  his 
hard,  muscular,  but  wasted  features,  like  a  gleam  of 
sunshine  flitting  across  a  naked  ragged  ruin,  and  be 
trayed  the  momentary  pleasure  he  found  in  wiL  ess- 
ing  from  time  to  time  the  vast  power  the  youths 
discovered.  Then,  as  the  train  drew  slowly  up  the 
ascent,  a  cloud  of  thought  and  sorrow  threw  all  into 
K 


110  THE    PRAIRIE. 

the  shade  again,  leaving  the  expression  of  his  counte 
nance  in  its  usual  state  of  quiet  melancholy  gravity. 
As  vehicle  after  vehicle  left  the  place  of  the  encamp 
ment,  he  noted  the  change,  with  increasing  atten 
tion  ;  seldom  failing  to  cast  an  inquiring  look  at  the 
little  neglected  tent,  which  with  its  proper  wagont 
still  remained,  as  before,  solitary  and  apparently  for 
gotten.  The  summons  of  Ishmael  to  his  gloomy 
associate,  had  however,  as  it  would  now  seem,  this 
hitherto  neglected  portion  of  his  effects  for  its  ob 
ject. 

First  casting  a  cautious  and  suspicious  glance  on 
every  side  of  him,  the  squatter  and  his  companion 
advanced  to  the  little  wagon,  and  caused  it  to  enter 
within  the  folds  of  the  cloth,  much  in  the  same  man 
ner  that  it  had  been  extricated  the  preceding  even 
ing.  They  both  then  disappeared  behind  the  drapery, 
and  many  moments  of  suspense  succeeded,  during 
which  the  old  man,  secretly  urged  by  a  burning  desire 
to  know  the  meaning  of  so  much  mystery,  insensibly 
drew  nigher  to  the  place,  until  he  stood  within  a  few 
yards  of  the  proscribed  spot.  The  agitation  of  the 
cloth  betrayed  the  nature  of  the  occupation  of  those 
whom  it  concealed,  though  their  work  was  conducted 
in  the  most  rigid  silence.  It  would  appear  that  long 
practice  had  made  each  of  the  two  acquainted  with 
his  particular  duty,  for  neither  sign  nor  direction  of 
any  sort  was  necessary  from  Ishmael,  in  order  to  ap 
prise  his  surly  associate  of  the  manner  in  which  he 
was  to  proceed.  In  less  time  than  has  been  consum 
ed  in  relating  it,  the  interior  portion  of  the  arrange 
ment  was  completed,  when  the  men  re-appeared 
without  the  tent.  Too  busy  with  his  occupation  to 
heed  the  presence  of  the  trapper,  Ishmael  began  to 
release  the  folds  of  the  cloth  from  the  ground,  and  to 
dispose  of  them  in  such  a  manner  around  the  vehi 
cle  as  to  form  a  sweeping  train  to  the  new  form  the 
little  pavilion  had  now  assumed.  The  arched  roof 


THE    PRAIRIE.  Ill 

trembled  with  the  occasional  movement  of  the  light 
vehicle,  which,  it  was  now  apparent,  once  more  sup 
ported  its  secret  burden.  Just  as  the  work  was  end 
ed  the  scowling  eye  of  IshmaePs  assistant  caught  a 
glimpse  of  the  figure  of  the  attentive  observer  of 
their  movements.  Dropping  the  shaft,  which  he  had 
already  lifted  from  the  ground  preparatory  to  occu 
pying  the  place  that  was  usually  filled  by  an  animal 
less  reasoning  and  perhaps  less  dangerous  than  him 
self,  he  bluntly  exclaimed — 

"I  am  a  fool,  as  you  often  say!  But  look  for 
yourself:  if  that  man  is  not  an  enemy,  I  will  dis 
grace  father  and  mother,  call  myself  an  Indian,  and 
go  hunt  with  the  Siouxes  !" 

The  cloud  as  it  is  about  to  discharge  the  subtle 
lightning  is  not  more  dark  nor  threatening,  than  was 
the  look  with  which  Ishmael  greeted  the  intruder. 
He  turned  his  head  on  every  side  of  him,  as  if  seek 
ing  some  engine  sufficiently  terrible  to  annihilate  the 
offending  trapper  at  a  blow ;  and  then,  possibly  re 
collecting  the  further  occasion  he  might  have  for  his 
counsel,  he  forced  himself  to  say,  with  an  appearance 
of  moderation  that  nearly  choked  him — 

"  Stranger,  1  did  believe  this  prying  into  the  con 
cerns  of  others  was  the  business  of  women  in  the 
towns  and  settlements,  and  not  the  manner  in  which 
men,  who  are  used  to  live  where  each  has  room  for 
himself,  deal  with  the  secrets  of  their  neighbours. 
To  what  lawyer  or  sheriff  do  you  calculate  to  sell 
your  news  ?" 

"  I  hold  but  little  discourse  except  with  one  ;  and 
then  chiefly  of  my  own  affairs,"  returned  the  old 
man,  without  the  least  observable  apprehension,  and 
pointing  imposingly  upward  ;  "  a  judge  ;  and  judge 
of  all.  Littlfj  does  he  need  knowledge  from  my 
hands,  and  but  little  will  your  wish  to  keep  any  thing 
secret  from  him  profit  you,  even  in  this  desert." 

The  mounting  tempers  of  his  unnurtured  listeners 


THE  PRAIRIE. 


were  rebuked  by  the  simple,  solemn  manner  of  the 
trapper.  Ishmael  stood  sullen  and  thoughtful  ;  while 
his  companion  stole  a  furtive  and  involuntary  glance 
at  the  placid  sky,  which  spread  so  wide  and  blue 
above  his  head,  as  if  he  expected  to  see  the  Almighty 
eye  itself  beaming  from  the  heavenly  vault.  But 
impressions  of  a  serious  character  are  seldom  lasting 
on  minds  long  indulged  in  forgetfulness.  The  hesi 
tation  of  the  squatter  was  consequently  of  very  short 
duration.  The  language,  however,  as  well  as  the 
firm  and  collected  air  of  the  speaker,  were  the 
means  of  preventing  much  subsequent  abuse,  if  not 
violence. 

"  It  would  be  shewing  more  of  the  kindness  of  a 
friend  and  comrade,"  Ishmael  returned,  in  a  tone 
sufficiently  sullen  to  betray  his  humour,  though  it 
was  no  longer  threatening,  "  had  your  shoulder  been 
put  to  the  wheel  of  one  of  yonder  wagons,  instead 
of  edging  itself  in  here,  where  none  are  wanted  but 
such  as  are  invited." 

"  I  can  put  the  little  strength  that  is  left  me,"  re 
turned  the  trapper,  "  to  this,  as  well  as  to  another  of 
your  loads." 

"  Do  you  take  us  for  boys  !"  exclaimed  Ishmael, 
laughing,  half  in  ferocity  and  half  in  derision,  apply 
ing  his  powerful  strength  at  the  same  time  to  the  lit 
tle  vehicle,  which  rolled  over  the  grass  with  as  much 
seeming  facility  as  though  it  were  drawn  by  its  usual 
team. 

The  trapper  paused,  and  followed  the  departing 
wagon  with  his  eye,  marvelling  greatly  as  to  the  na 
ture  of  its  concealed  contents,  until  it  had  also  gain 
ed  the  summit  of  the  eminence,  and  in  its  turn  dis 
appeared  behind  the  swell  of  the  land.  Then  he 
turned  to  gaze  at  the  desolation  of  the  scene  around 
him.  The  absence  of  human  forms  would  have 
scarce  created  a  sensation  in  the  bosom  of  one  so 
long  acrustomed  to  solitude,  had  not  the  site  of  the 


THE    PRAIRIE.  113 

deserted  camp  furnished  such  strong  memorials  of 
its  recent  visiters,  and  as  the  old  man  was  quick  to 
detect,  of  theijr^wastft-*lso.  He  cast  his  eye  upwards, 
with  a'  signiftc'ant  shake  of  the  head,  at  the  vacant 
spot  in  the  heavens,  which  had  so  lately  been  filled 
by  the  branches  of  those  trees  that  now  lay  stripped 
of  their  verdure,  worthless  and  deserted  legs,  at  his 
feet." 

"  Ay !"  he  muttered  to  himself,  "  I  might  have 
know'd  it !  I  might  have  knowM  it !  often  have  I  seen 
the  same  before,  and  yet  I  brought  them  to  the  spot 
myself,  and  have  now  sent  them  to  the  only  neigh 
bourhood  of  their  kind,  within  many  long  leagues  of 
the  spot  where  I  stand.  This  is  man's  wish,  and 
pride,  and  waste,  and  sinfulness  !  He  tames  the 
beasts  of  the  field  to  feed  his  idle  wants,  and  having 
robbed  the  brutes  of  their  natural  food,  he  teaches 
them  to  strip  the  'arth  of  its  trees  to  quiet  their  hun 
ger." 

A  rustling  in  the  low  bushes  that  still  grew  for 
some  distance,  along  the  swale,  that  formed  the  thick 
et  on  which  the  camp  of  Ishmael  had  rested,  caught 
his  ear  at  the  moment  and  cut  short  the  soliloquy. 
The  habits  of  so  many  years  spent  in  the  wilderness, 
caused  the  old  man  to  bring  his  rifle  to  a  poise,  with 
something  like  the  activity  and  promptitude  of  his 
youth ;  but  suddenly  recovering  his  recollection,  he 
dropped  it  into  the  hollow  of  his  arm  again,  and  re 
sumed  his  air  of  melancholy  resignation. 

"  Come  forth,  come  forth  !"  he  said  aloud ;  "  be  ye 
bird  or  be  ye  beast — ye  are  safe  from  these  old 
hands.  I  have  eaten  and  I  have  drunk  ;  why  should 
I  take  life,  when  my  wants  call  for  no  such  sacrifice. 
It  will  not  be  long  afore  the  birds  will  peck  at  eyes 
that  shall  not  see  them,  and  perhaps  light  on  my  very 
bones ;  for  if  things  like  these  are  only  made  to  per 
ish,  why  am  I  to  expect  to  live  for  ever !  Come  forth 
K2 


114  THE    PRAIRIE. 

— come  forth ;  ye  are  safe  from  harm,  at  these  weak 
nands." 

u  Thank  you  for  the  good  word,  old  trapper,"  cried 
Paul  Hover,  springing  actively  forward  from  his 
place  of  concealment.  "  There  was  an  air  about  you, 
when  you  threw  forward  the  muzzle  of  the  piece, 
that  I  did  not  like ;  for  it  seemed  to  say  that  you 
were  master  of  all  the  rest  of  the  motions." 

"  You  are  right !  you  are  right !"  cried  the  trap 
per,  laughing  with  inward  self  complacency,  at  the 
recollection  of  his  former  skill.  "  The  day  has  been, 
when  few  men  knew  the  virtues  of  a  long  rifle,  like 
this  I  carry,  better  than  myself,  old  and  useless  as  I 
now  seem.  You  are  right,  young  man  ;  and  the  time 
was,  when  it  was  dangerous  to  move  a  leaf,  within 
ear-shot  of  my  stand,  or,"  he  added,  dropping  his 
voice  and  looking  serious,  "  for  a  Red  Mingo  to  show 
even  an  eyeball  from  his  ambushment.  You  have 
heard  of  the  Red  Mingos  ?" 

"  I  have  heard  of  minks,"  said  Paul,  taking  the  old 
man  by  the  arm,  and  gently  urging  him  towards  the 
thicket  as  he  spoke,  while  at  the  same  time  he  cast 
quick  and  uneasy  glances  behind  him,  in  order  to 
make  sure  he  was  not  observed.  "  Of  your  common 
black  minks  ;  but  of  none  of  any  other  colour." 

"  Lord  !  lord  !"  continued  the  trapper,  shaking  his 
head,  and  still  laughing  in  his  deep  but  quiet  man 
ner  ;  "  the  boy  mistakes  a  brute  for  a  man  !  Though, 
a  Mingo  is  little  better  than  a  beast;  or,  for  that 
matter,  he  is  worse,  when  rum  and  opportunity  are 
placed  before  his  eyes.  There  was  that  accursed 
Huron  from  the  upper  lakes,  that  I  knocked  from 
his  perch,  among  the  rocks  in  the  hills,  back  of  the 
Hori— " 

His  voice  was  lost  in  the  thicket,  into  which  he 
had  suffered  himself  to  be  led  by  Paul,  while  speak 
ing  :  too  much  occupied  by  thoughts  which  dwelt  on 


THE    PRAIRIE.  115 

scenes  and  acts  that  had  taken  place  half  a  century 
earlier  in  the  history  of  the  country,  to  offer  the 
smallest  resistance. 


CHAPTER  VIII. 

"Now  they  are  clapper-clawing  one  another;  I'll  go  look  on.  Tha 
dissembling  abominable  varlet,  Diomed,  has  got  that  same  scurvj 
doting,  foolish  young  knave  in  his  helm." 

Troilus  and  Cressida. 

IT  is  necessary,  in  order  that  the  thread  of  the 
narrative  should  not  be  spun  to  a  length  which  might 
fatigue  the  reader,  that  he  should  imagine  a  week  to 
have  intervened  between  the  scene  with  which  the 
preceding  chapter  closed,  and  the  events  with  which 
it  is  our  intention  to  resume  its  relation  in  this.  The 
season  was  on  the  point  of  changing  its  character ; 
the  verdure  of  summer*giving  place  more  rapidly  to 
the  brown  and  party-coloured  livery  of  the  fall.  The 
heavens  were  clothed  in  driving  clouds,  piled  in  vast 
masses  one  above  the  other,  which  whirled  violently 
in  the  gusts ;  opening,  occasionally,  to  admit  tran 
sient  glimpses  of  the  bright  and  glorious  sight  of  the 
heavens  dwelling  in  a  magnificence,  by  far  too  grand 
and  durable  to  be  disturbed  by  the  fitful  efforts  of  the 
lower  world.  Beneath,  the  wind  swept  across  the 
wild  and  naked  prairies,  with  a  violence  that  is  sel 
dom  witnessed  in  any  section  of  the  continent  less 
open.  It  would  have  been  easy  to  have  imagined, 
in  the  ages  of  fable,  that  the  god  of  the  winds  had 
permitted  his  subordinate  agents  to  escape  from  their 
den,  and  that  they  now  rioted,  in  wantonness,  across 
wastes,  where  neither  tree,  nor  work  of  man,  nor 
mountain,  nor  obstacle  of  any  sort  opposed  itself  to 
their  gambols. 


116  THE    PRAIRIE. 

Though  nakedness  might,  as  usual,  be  given  as  the 
pervading  character  of  the  spot,  whither  it  is  now 
necessary  to  transfer  the  scene  of  the  tale,  it  was 
not  entirely  without  the  signs  of  human  life.  Amid 
the  monotonous  rolling  of  the  prairie,  a  single  naked 
and  ragged  rock  arose  on  the  margin  of  a  little  wa 
ter-course,  which  found  its  way,  after  winding  a  vast 
distance  through  the  plains,  into  one  of  the  numer 
ous  tributaries  of  the  Father  of  Rivers.  A  swale  of 
low  land  lay  near  the  base  of  the  eminence,  and  as  it 
was  still  fringed  with  a  thicket  of  alders  and  sumack, 
it  bore  the  signs  of  having  once  nurtured  a  feeble 
growth  of  wood.  The  trees  themselves  had  been 
transferred,  however,  to  the  summit  and  crags  of  the 
neighbouring  rocks.  It  was  on  this  little  elevation 
that  the  signs  of  man  were  to  be  found,  to  which  the 
allusion  just  made  applies. 

Seen  from  beneath,  they  presented  no  more  than 
a  breast-work  of  logs  and  stones,  intermingled  in 
such  a  manner  as  to  save  all  unnecessary  labour ;  of 
a  few  low  roofs  made  of  bark  and  boughs  of  trees , 
of  an  occasional  barrier,  constructed  like  the  defences 
on  the  summit,  and  placed  on  such  points  of  the  ac 
clivity  as  were  easier  of  approach  than  the  general 
face  of  the  eminence,  and  of  a  little  dwelling  of 
cloth,  perched  on  the  apex  of  a  small  pyramid,  that 
shot  up  on  one  angle  of  the  rock,  the  white  covering 
of  which  glimmered  from  a  distance  like  a  spot  of 
snow— or  to  make  the  simile  more  suitable  to  the 
rest  of  the  subject,  like  a  spotless  and  carefully 
guarded  standard,  which  was  to  be  protected  by  the 
dearest  blood  of  those  who  defended  the  citadel  be 
neath.  It  is  hardly  necessary  to  add,  that  this  rude 
and  characteristic  fortress  was  the  place  where  Ish- 
mael  Bush  had  taken  refuge,  after  the  robbery  of  his 
flocks  and  herds. 

On  the  day  to  which  the  narrative  is  advanced, 
the  squatter  was  to  be  seen  standing  near  the  base  of 


THE    PRAIRIE.  117 

these  very  rocks,  leaning  on  his  rifle,  and  regarding 
the  sterile  soil  that  supported  him  with  a  look  in 
which  contempt  and  disappointment  were  strongly 
blended. 

"  'Tis  time  to  change  our  natur's,"  he  observec 
to  the  brother  of  his  wife,  who  was  rarely  far  from 
his  elbow ;  "  and  to  become  ruminators,  instead  of 
people  used  to  the  fare  of  Christians  and  free  men. 
I  reckon,  Abiram,  you  could  glean  a  living  among 
the  grasshoppers ;  you  ar1  an  active  man,  and  might 
outrun  the  nimblest  skipper  of  them  all." 

"  The  country  will  never  do,"  returned  the  other, 
who  relished  but  little  the  forced  humour  of  his  kins 
man  ;  "  and  it  is  well  to  remember  that  a  lazy  trav 
eller  makes  a  long  journey." 

"  Would  you  have  me  draw  a  cart  at  my  heels, 
across  this  desert,  for  weeks  ;  ay,  months  !"  retorted 
Ishmael,  who,  like  all  of  his  class,  could  labour  with 
incredible  efforts  on  emergencies,  but  who  too  sel 
dom  exerted  continued  industry,  on  any  occasion,  to 
brook  a  proposal  that  offered  so  little  repose.  "  It 
may  do  for  your  people,  who  live  in  settlements,  to 
hasten  on  to  their  houses.  But,  thank  Heaven,  my 
farm  is  too  big  for  its  owner  ever  to  want  a  resting- 
place  I" 

"Since  you  like  the  plantation,  then,  you  have 
only  to  make  your  crop  !" 

"  That  is  easier  said  than  done,  on  this  corner  of 
the  estate.  I  tell  you,  Abiram,  there  is  need  of  mov 
ing  for  more  reasons  than  one.  You  know  I'm  a  man 
that  very  seldom  enters  into  a  bargain ;  but  who  al 
ways  fulfils  his  agreements  better  than  your  dealers 
in  wordy  contracts  written  on  rags  of  paper.  If 
there's  one  mile,  there  ar'  a  hundred  still  needed 
to  make  up  the  distance  for  which  you  have  my 
honour." 

As  he  spoke,  the  squatter  glanced  his  eye  upward 
at  the  little  tenement  of  cloth  which  crowned  the 


118  THE    PRAIRIE 

summit  of  his  ragged  fortress.  The  look  was  under 
stood  and  answered  by  the  other,  and  by  some  secret 
influence,  which  operated  either  through  their  inter 
ests  or  feelings,  it  served  to  re-establish  that  harmony 
between  them,  which  had  just  been  threatened  with 
something  very  like  a  momentary  breach. 

"  I  know  it,  and  feel  it  in  every  bone  of  my  body. 
But  I  remember  the  reason,  why  I  have  set  myself  on 
this  accursed  journey  too  well,  to  forget  the  distance 
between  me  and  the  end.  Neither  you  nor  I  will 
ever  be  the  better  for  what  we  have  done,  unless  we 
thoroughly  finish  what  is  so  well  begun.  Ay  ;  that  is 
the  doctrine  of  the  whole  world,  I  judge :  I  heard  a 
travelling  preacher,  who  was  skirting  it  down  the 
Ohio,  a  time  since,  say,  if  a  man  should  live  up  to 
the  faith  for  a  hundred  years  and  then  fall  from  his 
work  a  single  day,  he  would  find  the  settlement  was 
to  be  made  for  the  finishing  blow  that  he  had  put  to 
his  job,  and  that  all  the  bad  and  none  of  the  good 
would  come  into  the  final  account." 

"  And  you  believed  what  the  hungry  hypocrite 
preached  !" 

"  Who  said  that  I  believed  it !"  retorted  Abiram 
with  a  bullying  look,  that  betrayed  how  much  his 
fears  had  dwelt  on  the  subject  he  affected  to  despise. 
"  Is  it  believing  to  tell  what  a  roguish — And  yet,  Ish- 
mael,  the  man  might  have  been  honest  after  all !  He 
told  us  that  the  world  was,  in  truth,  no  better  than  a 
desert,  and  that  there  was  but  one  hand  that  could 
lead  the  most  learned  man  through  all  its  windings 
of  good  and  evil.  Now,  if  this  be  true  of  the  whole 
world,  it  may  be  true  of  a  part." 

"  Abiram,  out  with  your  grievances  like  a  man,11 
interrupted  the  squatter,  with  a  hoarse,  taunting 
laugh.  "  You  want  to  pray.  But  of  what  use  will 
it  be,  according  to  your  own  doctrine,  to  serve  God 
five  minutes  and  the  devil  an  hour.  Harkee,  friend; 
I'm  not  much  of  a  husbandman  but  this  I  know  to 


THE    PRAIRIE.  119 

my  cost ;  that  to  make  a  right  good  crop,  even  on 
the  richest  bottom,  there  must  be  hard  labour ;  and 
your  snufflers  often  liken  the  'arth  to  a  field  of  corn, 
and  the  men,  who  live  on  it,  to  its  yield.  Now  I  tell 
you,  Abiram,  that  you  are  no  better  than  a  thistle  or 
a  mullin ;  yea,  ye  ar'  wood  of  too  open  a  pore  to  be 
good  even  to  burn  !" 

The  malign  glance  which  shot  from  the  scowling 
eye  of  Abiram,  announced  the  angry  character  of  his 
feelings,  but  as  the  furtive  look  quailed,  almost  im 
mediately,  before  the  unmoved,  steady  countenance 
of  the  squatter,  it  also  betrayed  how  much  the  bolder 
spirit  of  the  latter  had  obtained  the  mastery  over  his 
craven  nature. 

Content  with  his  ascendency,  which  was  too  ap 
parent,  and  K?^  been  too  often  exerted  on  similar 
occasions,  to  leave  him  in  any  doubt  of  its  extent, 
Ishmael  coolly  continued  the  discourse,  by  adverting 
more  directly  to  his  future  plans. 

"  You  will  own  the  justice  at  any  rate  of  paying 
every  one  in  kind,"  he  said  ;  "  I  have  been  robbed 
of  my  stock,  and  I  have  a  scheme  to  make  myself  as 
good  as  before,  by  taking  hoof  for  hoof;  or  for  that 
matter,  when  a  man  is  put  to  the  trouble  of  bargain 
ing  for  both  sides,  he  is  a  fool  if  he  dont  pay  himself 
something  in  the  way  of  commission." 

As  the  squatter  made  this  declaration  in  a  loud 
and  decided  tone,  which  was  a  little  excited  by  the 
humour  of  the  moment,  four  or  five  of  his  lounging 
sons,  who  had  been  leaning  against  the  foot  of  the 
rock,  came  forward  with  the  indolent  step  so  com 
mon  to  the  whole  family. 

"  I  have  been  calling  Ellen  Wade,  who  is  on  the 
rock  keeping  the  look-out,  to  know  if  there  is  any 
thing  to  be  seen,"  observed  the  eldest  of  the  young 
men ;  "  and  she  shakes  her  head  for  an  answer.  El 
len  is  sparing  of  her  words,  for  a  woman  ;  and  might 


as 

at,         / 

n~\    I/ 

iff  V 


120  THE    PRAIRIE. 

be  taught  manners,  at  least,  without  spoiling  any  of 
her  uncommon  good  looks." 

Ishmael  cast  his  eye  upward  to  the  place,  where 
the  offending,  but  unconscious  girl  was  holding  her 
anxious  watch.  She  was  seated  at  the  edge  of  the 
uppermost  crag,  by  the  side  of  the  little  tent,  and  at 
least  a  hundred  feet  above  the  level  of  the  plain. 
Little  else  was  to  be  distinguished,  at  that  distance, 
but  the  outline  of  her  form,  her  fair  hair  streaming 
in  the  gusts  beyond  her  shoulders,  and  the  steady 
and  seemingly  unchangeable  look  that  she  had  rivet 
ed  on  some  remote  point  of  the  prairie. 

"  What  is  it,  Nell?"  cried  Ishmael,  lifting  his  pow 
erful  voice  a  little  above  the  rushing  of  the  clement. 
"  Have  you  got  a  glimpse  of  any  thing  bigger  than 
one  of  them  burrowing  barkers  ?" 

The  lips  of  the  attentive  Ellen  parted ;  she  rose 
to  the  utmost  height  her  small  stature  admitted,  seem 
ing  still  to  regard  the  unknown  object ;  but  her  voice, 
if  she  spoke  at  all,  was  not  sufficiently  loud  to  be 
heard  amid  the  roaring  of  the  wind. 

"  It  ar1  a  fact  that  the  child  sees  something  more 
uncommon  than  a  buffaloe  or  a  prairie  dog!"  con 
tinued  Ishmael.  "Why,  Nell, girl, ar' ye  deaf?  Nell, 
I  say ; — I  hope  it  is  an  army  of  red-skiiis  she  has  in 
her  eye  ;  for  I  should  mightily  relish  the  chance  to 
pay  them  for  their  kindness,  under  the  favour  of  these 
logs  and  rocks  !" 

As  the  squatter  had  accompanied  his  vaunt  with 
corresponding  gestures,  and  directed  his  eyes  to  the 
circle  of  his  equally  confident  sons  while  speaking, 
he  had  drawn  their  gaze  from  Ellen  to  himself;  but 
now,  when  they  turned  together  to  note  the  succeed 
ing  movements  of  their  female  sentinel,  the  place 
which  had  so  lately  been  occupied  by  her  form  was 
vacant. 

u  As  I  am  a  sinner,"  exclaimed  Asa,  usually 


THE    PRAIRIE.  121 

of  the  most  phlegmatic  of  the  youths,  in  a  tone  of 
extraordinary  excitement,  "  the  girl  is  blown  away 
hy  the  wind !" 

Something  like  a  sensation  was  exhibited  among 
them,  which  might  have  denoted  that  the  influence 
of  the  laughing  blue  eyes,  flaxen  hair,  and  glowing 
cheeks  of  Ellen,  had  not  been  lost  on  the  dull  na 
tures  of  the  young  men,  and  looks  of  dull  amaze 
ment,  mingled  slightly  with  concern,  passed  from  one 
to  the  other,  as  they  gazed,  in  stupid  wonder,  at  the 
point  of  the  naked  rock. 

"  It  might  well  be !"  added  another ;  "  she  sat  on 
a  slivered  stone,  and  I  have  been  thinking  of  telling 
her  she  was  in  danger  for  more  than  an  hour." 

"  Is  that  a  riband  of  the  child,  dangling  from  the 
corner  of  the  hill  below !"  cried  Ishmael ;  "  ha ! 
who  is  moving  about  the  tent ;  have  I  not  told  you 
all—"  . 

u  Ellen  !  'tis  Ellen  !"  interrupted  the  whole  body 
of  his  sons  in  a  breath  ;  and  at  that  instant  she  re-ap 
peared  to  put  an  end  to  their  different  surmises,  and, 
to  relieve  more  than  one  sluggish  nature  from  its  un 
wonted  excitement.  As  Ellen  issued  from  beneath 
the  folds  of  the  tent,  she  advanced  with  a  light  and 
fearless  step  to  her  former  giddy  stand,  and  pointed 
toward  the  prairie,  appearing  to  speak  in  an  eager 
and  rapid  voice  to  some  invisible  auditor. 

"  Nell  is  mad !"  said  Asa,  half  in  contempt  and 
yet  not  a  little  in  concern.  "  The  girl  is  dreaming 
with  her  eyes  open ;  and  thinks  she  sees  some  of 
them  fierce  creatur's,  with  hard  names,  with  which 
the  Doctor  fills  her  ears." 

"  Can  it  be,  the  child  has  found  a  scout  of  the 
Siouxes,"  said  Ishmael,  bending  his  look  toward  the 
plain ;  but  a  low,  significant  whisper  from  Abiram 
drew  his  eyes  quickly  upward  again,  where  they 
were  turned  just  in  time  to  perceive  that  the  cloth 
of  the  tent  was  agitated  by  a  motion  very  evidently 


122  THE    PRAIRIE 

different  from  the  quivering  occasioned  by  the  wind, 
"  Let  her,  if  she  dare  !"  the  squatter  muttered  in  his 
teeth.  "  Abiram  ;  they  know  my  temper  too  well  to 
play  the  prank  with  me  !" 

"  Look  for  yourself !  if  the  curtain  is  not  lifted,  1 
can  see  no  better  than  an  owl  by  daylight." 

Ishmael  struck  the  breech  of  his  rifle  violently  on 
the  earth,  and  shouted  in  a  voice  that  might  easily 
have  been  heard  by  Ellen,  had  not  her  attention  still 
continued  rapt  on  the  object  which  so  unaccountably 
attracted  her  eyes  in  the  distance. 

"  Nell !"  continued  the  squatter  ;  "  away  with 
you,  fool !  will  you  bring  down  punishment  on  your 
own  head.  Why  Nell ! — she  has  forgotten  her  na 
tive  speech ;  let  us  see  if  she  can  understand  another 
language." 

Ishmael  threw  his  rifle  to  his  shoulder,  and  at  the 
next  moment  it  was  pointed  upward  at  the  summit 
of  the  rock.  Before  time  was  given  for  a  word  of 
remonstrance,  it  had  sent  forth  its  contents,  in  its 
usual  streak  of  bright  flame.  Ellen  started  like  the 
frightened  chamois,  and  uttering  a  piercing  scream, 
she  darted  into  the  tent,  with  a  swiftness  that  left  it 
uncertain  whether  terror  or  actual  injury  had  been 
the  penalty  of  her  slight  offence. 

The  action  of  the  squatter  was  too  sudden  and 
unexpected  to  admit  of  prevention,  but  the  instant  it 
was  done,  his  sons  manifested,  in  an  unequivocal 
manner,  the  temper  with  which  they  witnessed  the 
desperate  measure.  Angry  and  fierce  glances  were 
interchanged,  and  a  murmur  of  disapprobation  was 
uttered  by  the  whole  in  common. 

"  What  has  Ellen  done,  father,"  said  Asa,  with  a 
degree  of  spirit,  which  was  the  more  striking  from 
being  unusual,  "  that  she  should  be  shot  at  like  a 
straggling  deer  or  a  hungry  wolf!" 

"Mischief;"  deliberately  returned  the  squatter, 
but  with  a  cool  expression  of  defiance  in  his  eye 


THE    PRAIRIE.  123 

that  showed  how  little  he  was  moved  by  the  ill-con 
cealed  humour  of  his  children.  "  Mischief,  boy ; 
mischief!  take  you  care  that  the  disorder  don't 
spread." 

"  It  would  need  a  different  treatment  in  a  man, 
than  in  yon  screaming  girl  I" 

"  Asa,  you  ar'  a  man,  as  you  have  often  boasted ; 
but  remember  I  am  your  father,  and  your  better." 

"  I  know  it  well ;  and  what  sort  of  a  father !" 

"  Harkee,  boy :  I  more  than  half  believe  that  your 
drowsy  head  let  in  the  Siouxes.  Be  modest  in  your 
speech,  my  watchful  son,  or  you  may  have  to  answer 
yet  for  the  mischief  your  own  bad  conduct  has 
brought  upon  us." 

"  I'll  stay  no  longer  to  be  hectored  like  a  child  in 
petticoats.  You  talk  of  law,  as  if  you  knew  of  none, 
and  yet  you  keep  me  down,  as  though  I  had  not  life 
and  wants  of  my  own  to  provide  for.  I'll  stay  no 
longer  to  be  treated  like  one  of  your  meanest  cattle." 

"  The  world  is  wide,  my  gallant  boy,  and  there's 
many  a  noble  plantation  on  it,  without  a  tenant. 
Go  ;  you  have  title  deeds  sign'd  and  seal'd  to  your 
hand.  Few  fathers  portion  their  children  better  than 
Ishmael  Bush ;  you  will  say  that  for  me  at  least, 
when  you  get  to  the  end  of  your  journey." 

"  Look !  father,  look !"  exclaimed  several  voices 
at  once,  as  though  they  seized,  with  avidity  an  op 
portunity  to  interrupt  a  dialogue  which  threatened 
to  become  still  more  violent. 

"  Look !"  repeated  Abiram,  in  a  voice  which 
sounded  hollow  and  warning ;  "  If  you  have  time  for 
any  thing  but  quarrels,  Ishmael,  look  !" 

The  squatter  turned  slowly  from  his  offending  son, 
and  cast  an  eye  upward  that  still  lowered  with  deep 
resentment,  but  which,  the  instant  it  caught  a  view 
of  the  object  that  now  attracted  the  attention  of  all 
around  him,  changed  its  expression  to  one  of  aston 
ishment  and  dismay. 


124  THE  PRAIRIE 

A  female  stood  on  the  spot,  from  which  Ellen  had 
been  so  fearfully  expelled.  Her  person  was  of  the 
smallest  size  that  is  believed  to  comport  with  beauty, 
and  which  poets  and  artists  have  chosen  as  the  beau 
ideal  of  feminine  loveliness.  Her  dress  was  of  a 
dark  and  glossy  silk,  and  fluttered  like  gossamer 
around  her  form.  Long,  flowing,  and  curling  tresses 
of  hair,  still  blacker  and  more  shining  than  her  robe, 
fell  at  times  about  her  shoulders,  completely  envelop 
ing  the  whole  of  her  delicate  bust  in  their  ringlets ; 
or  at  others  streaming  long  and  waving  in  the  wind. 
The  elevation  at  which  she  stood  prevented  a  close 
examination  of  the  lineaments  of  a  countenance 
which,  however,  it  might  be  seen  was  youthful,  speak 
ing,  and,  at  the  moment  of  her  unlooked-for  appear 
ance,  charged  with  powerful  emotion.  So  young,  in 
deed,  did  this  fair  and  fragile  being  appear,  that  it 
might  be  doubted  whether  the  age  of  childhood  was 
entirely  passed.  One  small  and  exquisitely  moulded 
hand  was  pressed  on  her  heart,  while  with  the  other 
she  made  an  impressive  gesture,  which  seemed  to  in 
vite  Ishmael,  if  any  further  violence  was  meditated, 
to  direct  it  against  her  bosom. 

The  silent  wonder,  with  which  the  groupe  of  bor 
derers  gazed  upward  at  so  extraordinary  a  spectacle, 
was  only  interrupted  as  the  person  of  Ellen  was  seen 
emerging  with  marked  timidity  from  the  tent,  as  if 
equally  urged,  by  apprehensions  in  behalf  of  herself 
and  the  fears  which  she  felt  on  account  of  her  com 
panion,  to  remain  concealed  and  to  advance.  She 
spoke,  but  her  words  were  unheard  by  those  below, 
and  unheeded  by  her  to  whom  they  were  addressed. 
The  latter,  however,  as  if  content  with  the  offer  she 
had  made  of  herself  as  the  most  proper  victim  to 
the  resentment  of  Ishmael,  now  calmly  retired,  and 
the  spot  she  had  so  lately  occupied  became  vacant, 
leaving  a  sort  of  stupid  impression  on  the  spectators 
beneath,  not  unlike  that  which  it  might  be  supposed 


THE    PRAIRIE.  125 

would  have  been  created  had  they  just  been  gazing 
at  some  supernatural  vision. 

More  than  a  minute  of  profound  silence  succeed 
ed,  during  which  the  sons  of  Ishmael  still  continued 
gazing  at  the  naked  rock  in  stupid  wonder.  Then, 
as  eye  met  eye,  an  expression  of  novel  intelligence 
passed  from  one  to  the  other,  indicating  that  to  them, 
at  least,  the  appearance  of  this  extraordinary  tenant 
of  the  pavilion  was  as  unexpected  as  it  was  incom 
prehensible.  At  length  Asa,  in  right  of  his  years, 
and  moved  by  the  still  rankling  impulse  of  his  recent 
quarrel,  took  on  himself  the  office  of  interrogator. 
Instead,  however,  of  braving  the  resentment  of  his 
father,  of  whose  fierce  nature,  when  aroused,  he  had 
had  too  frequent  evidence  to  excite  it  wantonly,  he 
turned  upon  the  cowering  person  of  Abiram,  observ 
ing  with  a  sneer — 

"  This  then  is  the  beast  you  were  bringing  into  the 
prairies  for  a  decoy  !  I  know  you  to  be  a  man  who 
seldom  troubles  truth,  when  any  thing  worse  may 
answer,  but  I  never  knew  you  to  outdo  yourself  so 
thoroughly  before.  The  newspapers  of  Kentuck 
have  called  you  a  dealer  in  black  flesh  a  hundred 
times,  but  little  did  they  reckon  that  you  drove  the 
trade  into  white  families." 

"  Who  is  a  kidnapper !"  demanded  Abiram  with  a 
blustering  show  of  resentment.  "  Am  I  to  be  called 
to  account  for  every  lie  they  put  in  print  throughout 
the  states  !  Look  to  your  own  family,  boy ;  look  to 
yourselves.  The  very  stumps  of  Kentucky  and  Ten 
nessee  cry  out  ag'in  ye  !  Ay,  my  tonguey  gentleman, 
I  have  seen  father  and  mother  and  three  children, 
yourself  for  one,  published  on  the  logs  and  stubs  of 
the  settlements,  with  dollars  enough  for  reward  to 
have  made  an  honest  man  rich,  for — " 

He  was  interrupted  by  a  back-handed  but  violent 
blow  on  the  mouth,  that  caused  him  to  totter  and 
L  2 


126  THE    PRAIRIE. 

which  left  the  impression  of  its  weight  in  the  starting 
blood  and  swelling  lips. 

"  Asa,"  said  the  father,  advancing  with  a  portion 
of  that  dignity  with  which  the  hand  of  Nature  seems 
to  have  invested  the  parental  character,  "  you  have 
struck  the  brother  of  your  mother !" 

"  I  have  struck  the  abuser  of  the  whole  family,11 
returned  the  angry  youth ;  "  and,  unless  he  teaches 
his  tongue  a  wiser  language,  he  had  better  part  with 
it  altogether  as  the  unruly  member.  Pm  no  great 
performer  with  the  knife,  but,  on  an  occasion,  could 
make  out,  myself,  to  cut  off  a  slande — " 

"  Boy,  twice  have  you  forgotten  yourself  to-day. 
Be  careful  that  it  does  not  happen  the  third  time. 
When  the  law  of  the  land  is  weak,  it  is  right  the  law  ol 
nature  should  be  strong.  You  understand  me,  Asa  ; 
and  you  know  me.  As  for  you,  Abiram,  the  child  has 
done  you  wrong,  and  it  is  my  place  to  see  you  right 
ed.  Remember;  I  tell  you  justice  shall  be  done ;  it 
is  enough.  But  you  have  said  hard  things  ag'in  me 
and  my  family.  If  the  hounds  of  the  law  have  put 
their  bills  on  the  trees  and  stumps  of  the  clearings, 
it  was  for  no  act  of  dishonesty  as  you  know,  but  be 
cause  we  maintain  the  rule  that  the  'arth  is  common 
property.  No,  Abiram  ;  could  I  wash  my  hands  of 
things  done  by  your  advice,  as  easily  as  I  can  of  the 
things  done  by  the  whisperings  of  the  devil,  my 
sleep  would  be  quieter  at  night,  and  none  who  bear 
my  name  need  blush  to  hear  it  mentioned.  Peace, 
Asa,  and  you  too  man  ;  enough  has  been  said.  Let 
us  all  think  well  before  any  thing  is  added,  that  may 
make  what  is  already  so  bad  still  more  bitter." 

Ishmael  waved  his  hand  with  authority  as  he  end 
ed,  and  turned  away  with  the  air  of  one  who  felt  as 
sured,  that  those  he  had  addressed  would  not  have 
the  temerity  to  dispute  his  commands.  Asa  evident 
ly  struggled  with  himself  to  compel  the  required 


THE    PRAIRIE.  127 

obedience,  but  his  heavy  nature  quietly  sunk  into  its 
ordinary  repose,  and  he  soon  appeared  again  the  be 
ing  he  really  was  ;  dangerous,  only,  at  moments,  and 
one  whose  passions  were  too  iMggMfa  to  be  long 
maintained  at  the  point  of  ferocity.  Not  so  with 
Abiram.  While  there  was  an  appearance  of  a  per 
sonal  conflict,  between  him  and  his  colossal  nephew, 
his  mien  had  expressed  the  infallible  evidences  of 
engrossing  apprehension,  but  now,  that  the  authority 
as  well  as  gigantic  strength  of  the  father  were  inter 
posed  between  him  and  his  assailant,  his  countenance 
changed  from  paleness  to  a  livid  hue,  that  bespoke 
how  deeply  the  injury  he  had  received  rankled  in  his 
breast  Like  Asa,  however,  he  acquiesced  in  the 
decision  of  the  squatter,  and  the  appearance,  at 
least,  of  harmony  was  restored  again  among  a  set  of 
beings,  who  were  restrained  by  no  obligations  more 
powerful  than  the  frail  web  of  authority  with  which 
hhrnael  had  been  able  to  envelope  his  restless 
children, 

One  effect  of  the  quarrel  had  been  to  divert  the 
thoughts  of  the  young  men  from  their  recent  '•• 
With  the  dispute  that  succeeded  Hie  disappearance 
of  the  fair  stranger,  all  recollection  of  her  exi 
appeared  to  have  vanished.      A   few  ornino'. 
secret  conferences  it  is  true  were  held  apart,  during 
which  the  direction  of  the  eyes   of  the   different 
speakers  betrayed  their  subject ;  but  these  threaten 
ing  symptoms  soon  disappeared,  and  the  whole  party 
was  again  seen   broken  into  its  usual,  listless,  silent 
and  lounging  groupes. 

" 1  will  go  upon  the  rock,  boy?,  and  look  abroad 
for  the  savages,"  said  Jshmiel  shortly  after,  advanc 
ing  towards  them  with  a  mien  which  he  in*- 
should  be  conciliating  at  the  same  time  that  it  was 
absolute.  "  If  there  is  nothing  to  fear,  we  will  go 
out  on  the  plain ;  the  day  is  too  good  to  be  lost  in 


128  THE    PRAIRIE. 

words,  like  women  in  the  towns  wrangling  over  theii 
tea  and  sugared  cakes." 

Without  waiting  for  approbation  or  dissent,  the 
squatter  then  advanced  to  the  base  of  the  rock,  which 
formed  a  sort  of  perpendicular  wall  near  twenty  feet 
high  around  the  whole  acclivity.  Ishmael,  however, 
directed  his  footsteps  to  a  point  where  an  ascent 
might  be  made  through  a  narrow  cleft,  which  he  had 
taken  the  precaution  to  fortify  with  a  breast-work  of 
cotton-wood  logs,  and  which,  in  its  turn,  was  defend 
ed  by  a  chevaux-de-frise  of  the  branches  of  the  same 
tree.  Here  an  armed  man  was  usually  kept,  as  at  the 
key  of  the  whole  position,  and  here  one  of  the  young 
men  now  stood,  indolently  leaning  against  the  rock, 
ready  to  protect  the  pass,  if  it  should  prove  neces 
sary,  until  the  whole  party  could  be  mustered  at  the 
several  points  of  defence. 

From  this  place  the  squatter  found  the  ascent  still 
difficult,  partly  by  nature  and  partly  by  artificial  im 
pediments,  until  he  reached  a  sort  of  terrace,  or  to 
speak  more  properly  the  plain  of  the  elevation, 
where  he  had  established  the  huts  in  which  the  whole 
family  dwelt.  These  tenements  were,  as  already 
mentioned,  of  that  class  which  are  so  often  seen  on 
the  borders,  and  such  as  belonged  to  the  infancy  of 
architecture  ;  being  simply  formed  of  logs,.  barkt  and 
poles.  The  area  on  which  they  stood  contained  sev 
eral  hundred  square  feet,  and  was  sufficiently  eleva 
ted  above  the  plain  greatly  to  lessen  if  not  to  remove 
all  danger  from  Indian  missiles.  Here  Ishmael  be 
lieved  he  might  leave  his  infants  in  comparative 
security,  under  the  protection  of  their  spirited  moth 
er,  and  here  he  now  found  Esther  engaged  at  her  or 
dinary  domestic  employments,  surrounded  by  her 
daughters,  and  lifting  her  voice,  in  the  tones  of  de 
clamatory  censure,  as  one  or  another  of  the  idle  fry 
incurred  her  displeasure,  and  far  too  much  engrossed 


THE    PRAIRIE.  129 

with  the  tempest  of  her  own  conversation  to  know 
any  thing  of  the  violent  scene  which  had  been  pass 
ing  among  the  party  below. 

"A  fine  windy  place  you  have  chosen  for  the 
camp,  Ishmael !"  she  commenced  or  rather  contin 
ued,  by  merely  diverting  the  attack  from  a  sobbing 
girl  of  ten,  at  her  elbow,  to  her  husband.  "My 
word !  if  I  haven't  to  count  the  young  ones  every 
ten  minutes,  to  see  they  are  not  flying  away  among 
the  buzzards  or  the  ducks.  Why  do  ye  all  keep  hov 
ering  round  the  rock,  like  lolloping  reptiles  in  the 
spring,  when  the  heavens  are  beginning  to  be  alive 
with  birds,  man  !  D'ye  think  mouths  can  be  filled, 
and  hunger  satisfied,  by  laziness  and  sleep  !" 

"  You'll  have  your  say,  Eester ;"  said  the  husband, 
using  the  provincial  pronunciation  of  America  for  the 
name,  and  regarding  his  noisy  companions,  with  a  look 
of  habitual  tolerance  rather  than  of  affection.  "  But 
the  birds  you  shall  have,  if  your  own  tongue  don't 
frighten  them  to  take  too  high  a  flight.  Ay,  woman," 
he  continued,  standing  on  the  very  spot  whence  he 
had  so  rudely  banished  Ellen,  which  he  had  by  this 
time  gained,  "and  buffaloe  too,  if  my  eye  can  tell 
the  animal  at  the  distance  of  a  Spanish  league." 

"  Come  down ;  come  down,  and  be  doing,  instead 
of  talking.  A  talking  man  is  no  better  than  a  bark 
ing  dog.  Nell  shall  hang  out  the  cloth,  if  any  of  the 
red-skins  show  themselves,  in  time  to  give  you  no 
tice.  But,  Ishmael,  what  have  you  been  killing,  my 
man;  for  it  was  your  rifle  I  heard  a  few  minutes 
agone,  unless  I  have  lost  my  skill  in  sounds." 

"  Poh  !  'twas  to  frighten  the  hawk  you  see  sailing 
above  the  rock." 

"  Hawk,  indeed !  at  your  time  of  day  to  be  shooting 
at  hawks  and  buzzards,  with  eighteen  open  mouths 
to  feed.  Look  at  the  bee,  and  at  the  beaver,  my 
good  man,  and  learn  to  be  a  provider.  Why,  Ish 
mael  !  I  believe  my  soul,"  she  continued,  dropping 


130  THE    PRAIRIE. 

the  tow  she  was  twisting  on  a  distaff,  "  the  man  is  in 
that  tent  ag'in  !  More  than  half  his  time  is  spent 
about  the  worthless,  good-for-nothing — " 

The  sudden  re-appearance  of  her  husband  closed 
the  mouth  of  the  wife  ;  and,  as  the  former  descend 
ed  to  the  place  where  Esther  had  resumed  her  em 
ployment,  she  was  content  to  grumble  forth  her  dis 
satisfaction,  instead  of  expressing  it  in  more  audible 
terms. 

The  dialogue  that  now  took  place  between  the 
affectionate  pair  was  sufficiently  succinct  and  ex 
pressive.  The  woman  was  at  first  a  little  brief  and 
sullen  in  her  answers,  but  care  for  her  family  soon 
rendered  her  more  complaisant.  As  the  purport  of 
the  conversation  was  merely  an  engagement  to  hunt 
during  the  remainder  of  the  day,  in  order  to  provide 
the  chief  necessary  of  life,  we  shall  not  stop  to  re 
cord  it. 

With  this  resolution,  then,  the  squatter  descended 
to  the  plain  and  divided  his  force  into  two  parts,  one 
of  which  was  to  remain  as  a  guard  with  the  fortress, 
and  the  other  to  accompany  him  to  the  field.  He 
warily  included  Asa  and  Abiram  in  his  own  party, 
well  knowing  that  no  authority,  short  of  his  own, 
was  competent  to  repress  the  fierce  disposition  of 
his  headlong  son,  if  fairly  awakened.  When  these 
arrangements  were  completed,  the  hunters  sallied 
forth,  separating  at  no  great  distance  from  the  rock, 
in  order  to  form  a  circle  about  the  distant  herd  of 
buffaloes. 


THE    PRAIRIE.  131 


CHAPTER  IX. 

"  Priscian  a  little  scratch'd ; 
'Twill  serve." 

Love's  Labour  Lost. 

HAVING  made  the  reader  acquainted  with  the  man 
ner  in  which  Lshmael  Bush  had  disposed  of  his  fami 
ly,  under  circumstances  l:hat  might  have  proved  so 
embarrassing  to  most  other  men,  we  shall  again  shift 
the  scene  a  few  short  miles  from  the  place  last  de 
scribed,  preserving,  however,  the  due  and  natural 
succession  of  time.  At  the  very  moment  that  the 
squatter  and  his  sons  departed  in  the  manner  men 
tioned  in  the  preceding  chapter,  two  men  were  in 
tently  occupied  in  a  swale  that  lay  along  the  borders 
of  a  little  run,  just  out  of  cannon-shot  from  the  en 
campment,  discussing  the  merits  of  a  savoury  bison's 
hump,  that  had  been  prepared  for  their  palates  with 
the  utmost  attention  to  the  particular  merits  of  that 
description  of  food.  The  choice  morsel  had  been 
judiciously  separated  from  the  adjoining  and  less 
worthy  parts  of  the  beast,  and,  enveloped  in  the 
hairy  coating  provided  by  nature,  it  had  duly  under 
gone  the  heat  of  the  customary  subterraneous  oven, 
and  was  now  laid  before  its  proprietors  in  all  the 
culinary  glory  of  the  prairies.  So  far  as  richness, 
delicacy  and  wildness  of  flavour,  and  substantial 
nourishment  were  concerned,  the  viand  might  well 
have  claimed  a  decided  superiority  over  the  meretri 
cious  cookery  and  laboured  compounds  of  the  most 
renowned  restaurateur ;  though  the  service  of  the 
dainty  was  certainly  achieved  in  a  manner  far  from 
artificial.  .It  would  appear  that  the  two  fortunate 
mortals,  to  whose  happy  lot  it  fell  to  enjoy  a  meal  in 
which  health  and  appetite  lent  so  keen  a  relish  to  the 
exquisite  food  of  the  American  deserts,  were  far 


132  THE    PRAIRIE. 

from  being  insensible  of  the  advantage  they  pos 
sessed. 

The  one  to  whose  knowledge  in  the  culinary  art 
the  other  was  indebted  for  his  banquet,  seemed  the 
least  disposed  of  the  two  to  profit  by  his  own  skill. 
Ffft  p.a.t.  it  is  true,  and  with  a  relish ;  but  it  was  al- 
"*ways  with  the  moderation  with  which  age  is  apt  to 
temper  the  appetite.  No  such  restraint,  however, 
was  imposed  on  the  inclination  of  his  companion. 
In  the  very  flower  of  his  days  and  in  the  fullest  vigour 
of  manhood,  the  homage  that  he  paid  to  the  work  of 
his  more  aged  friend's  hands  was  of  the  most  pro 
found  and  engrossing  character.  As  one  delicious 
morsel  succeeded  another  he  rolled  his  eyes  towards 
his  companion,  and  seemed  to  express  that  gratitude 
which  he  had  not  speech  to  utter,  in  looks  of  the 
most  benignant  nature. 

"  Cut  more  into  the  heart  of  it,  lad,"  said  the 
trapper,  for  it  was  the  venerable  inhabitant  of  those 
vast  wastes,  who  had  served  the  bee-hunter  with  the 
banquet  in  question ;  "  cut  more  into  the  centre  of 
the  piece ;  there  you  will  find  the  genuine  riches  ot 
natur' ;  and  that  without  need  from  spices,  or  any  oi 
your  biting  mustard  to  give  it  a  foreign  relish." 

"  If  I  had  but  a  eup  of  metheglin,"  said  Paul, 
stopping  to  perform  the  necessary  operation  ot 
breathing,  "I  should  swear  this  was  the  strongest 
meal  that  was  ever  placed  before  the  mouth  of 
man !" 

"  Ay,  ay,  well  you  may  call  it  strong  !"  returned 
the  other  laughing  after  his  peculiar  manner,  in  pure 
satisfaction  at  witnessing  the  infinite  contentment  ot 
his  companion  ;  u  strong  it  is,  and  strong  it  makes 
him  who  eats  it !  Here,  Hector,"  tossing  his  patient 
hound,  who  was  watching  his  eye  with  a  wistful 
look,  a  portion  of  the  meat,  "you  have  need  of 
strength,  my  friend,  in  your  old  days  as  well  as  your 
master.  Now,  lad,  there  is  a  dog  that  has  eaten  and 


THE    PRAIRIE.  I     133 

slept  wiser  and  better,  ay,  and  that  of  richer  ioo*a7 
than  any  king  of  them  all !  and  why  ?  because  he 
has  used  and  not  abused  the  gifts  of  his  Maker.  He 
was  made  a  hound  ;  and  like  a  hound  has  he  feasted. 
Them  did  He  create  men  ;  but  they  have  eaten  like 
famished  wolves  !  A  good  and  prudent  dog  has  Hec-  t 
tor  proved,  and  never  have  I  found  one  of  his  breed 
false  in  nose  or  friendship.  Do  you  know  the  differ 
ence  between  the  cookery  of  the  wilderness  and  that 
which  is  found  in  the  settlements  ?  No  ;  I  see  plain 
ly  you  don't,  by  your  appetite ;  then  I  will  tell  you. 
The  one  follows  man,  the  other  natur'.  One  thinks 
he  can  add  to  the  gifts  of  the  Creator,  while  the 
other  is  humble  enough  to  enjoy  them ;  therein  lies 
the  secret." 

"  I  tell  you,  trapper,"  said  Paul,  who  was  very  lit 
tle  edified  by  the  morality  with  which  his  associate 
saw  fit  to  season  their  repast,  "  that,  every  day  while 
we  are  in  this  place,  and  they  are  likely  to  be  many, 
I  will  shoot  a  buffaloe  and  you  shall  cook  his  hump !" 

"  I  cannot  say  that,  1  cannot  say  that.  The  beast 
is  good,  take  him  in  what  part  you  will,  and  it  was  to 
be  food  for  man  that  he  was  fashioned  ;  but  I  cannot 
say  that  I  will  be  a  witness  and  a  helper  to  the  waste 
of  killing  one  daily." 

"  The  devil  a  bit  of  waste  shall  there  be,  old  man. 
If  they  all  turn  out  as  good  as  this,  I  will  engage  to 
eat  them  clean  myself,  even  to  the  hoofs — how  now, 
who  comes  here !  some  one  with  a  long  nose  I  will 
answer ;  and  one  that  has  led  him  on  a  true  scent,  if 
lie  is  following  the  trail  of  a  dinner." 

The  individual  who  had  interrupted  the  conversa 
tion,  and  who  had  elicited  the  foregoing  remark 
of  Paul,  was  seen  advancing  along  the  margin  of  the 
run,  with  a  deliberate  pace,  in  a  direct  line  for  the 
two  revellers.  As  there  was  nothing  formidable  nor 
hostile  in  his  appearance,  the  bee-hunter,  instead  of 
suspending  his  operations,  rather  increased  his  efforts, 
M 


134  THE    PRAIRIE. 

in  a  manner  which  would  seem  to  imply  that  he 
doubted  whether  the  hump  would  suffice  for  the 
proper  entertainment  of  all  who  were  now  likely  to 
partake  of  the  delicious  morsel.  With  the  trapper, 
however,  the  case  was  different.  His  more  temper 
ed  appetite  was  already  satisfied,  and  he  faced  the 
new  comer  with  a  look  of  cordiality,  that  plainly 
evinced  how  very  opportune  he  considered  his  arri 
val. 

"  Come  on,  friend,"  he  said  waving  his  hand,  as  he 
observed  the  stranger  to  pause  a  moment,  apparent 
ly  in  doubt.  "  Come  on,  I  say :  if  hunger  be  your 
guide,  it  has  led  you  to  a  fitting  place.  Here  is  meat, 
and  this  youth  can  give  you  corn,  parched  till  it  be 
whiter  than  the  upland  snow ;  come  on,  without  fear. 
We  axe-not  ravenous  beasts,  eating  of  each  .oiher, 
but  Christian  men,  receiving  thankfully  that  which 
'the  Lord  hath  seen  fit  to  give." 

"  Venerable  hunter,"  returned  the  Doctor,  for  it 
was  no  other  than  the  naturalist  on  one  of  his  daily 
exploring  expeditions,  who  approached,  "  I  rejoice 
greatly  at  this  happy  meeting ;  we  are  lovers  of  the 
same  pursuits,  and  should  be  friends." 

"  Lord,  lord  !"  said  the  old  man  laughing,  without 
much  deference  to  the  rules  of  decorum,  in  the 
philosopher's  very  face,  "  it  is  the  man  who  wanted 
to  make  me  believe  that  a  name  could  change  the 
natur'  of  a  beast !  Come,  friend  ;  you  are  welcome, 
though  your  notions  are  a  little  blinded  with  reading 
too  many  books.  Sit  ye  down,  and  after  eating  of 
this  morsel,  tell  me,  if  you  can,  the  name  of  the 
creatur'  that  has  bestowed  on  you  its  flesh  for  a 
meal  ?" 

The  eyes  of  Doctor  Battius  (for  we  deem  it  de 
corous  to  give  the  good  man  the  appellation  he  most 
preferred)  the  eyes  of  Dr.  Battius  sufficiently  de 
noted  the  satisfaction  with  which  he  listened  to  this 
proposal.  The  exercise  he  had  taken,  and  the  sharp- 


THE    PRAIRIE.  135 

ness  of  the  wind,  had  proved  excellent  stimulants, 
and  Paul  himself  had  hardly  been  in  better  plight  to 
do  credit  to  the  trapper's  cookery,  than  was  the  lover 
of  nature,  when  the  grateful  sounds  of  the  invitation 
met  his  ears.  Indulging  in  a  small  laugh,  which  his 
exertions  to  repress  reduced  nearly  to  a  simper,  he 
took  the  indicated  seat  by  the  old  man's  side,  and 
made  the  customary  dispositions  to  commence  his 
meal  without  further  ceremony. 

"  I  should  be  ashamed  of  my  profession,"  he  said, 
swallowing  a  morsel  of  the  hump  with  evident  de 
light,  slily  endeavouring  at  the  same  time  to  distin 
guish  the  peculiarities  of  the  singed  and  defaced 
skin,  "  I  ought  to  be  ashamed  of  my  profession  were 
there  beast  or  bird  on  the  continent  of  America  that 
I  could  not  tell  by  some  one  of  the  many  evidences 
which  science  has  enlisted  in  her  cause.  This — then 
— the  food  is  nutritious  and  savoury — a  mouthful  of 
your  corn,  friend,  if  you  please  ?" 

Paul,  who  continued  eating  with  increasing  indus 
try,  looking  askaunt  not  unlike  a  dog  when  engaged 
in  the  same  agreeable  pursuit,  threw  him  his  pouch, 
without  deeming  it  at  all  necessary  to  suspend  his 
own  labours. 

"  You  were  saying,  friend,  that  you  have  many 
ways  of  telling  the  creatur'  ?" — observed  the  atten 
tive  trapper. 

"  Many  ;  very  many  and  infallible.  Now,  the  ani 
mals  that  are  carnivorous  are  known  by  their  inci- 
sores." 

"  Their  what !"  demanded  the  trapper. 

"  The  teeth  with  which  nature  has  furnished  them 
for  defence,  and  in  order  to  tear  their  food.  Again — " 

"  Look  you  then  for  the  teeth  of  this  creatur'," 
interrupted  the  trapper,  who  was  bent  on  convincing 
a  man  who  had  presumed  to  enter  into  competition 
with  himself,  in  matters  pertaining  to  the  wilds  of 


136  THE    PRAIRIE. 

gross  ignorance ;  u  turn  the  piece  round  and  find 
your  inside-overs." 

The  Doctor  complied,  and  of  course  without  suc 
cess  ;  though  he  profited  by  the  occasion  to  take 
another  fruitless  glance  at  the  wrinkled  hide. 

"  Well,  friend,  do  you  find  the  things  you  need, 
before  you  can  pronounce  the  creatur'  a  duck  or  a 
salmon?" 

"  I  apprehend  the  entire  animal  is  not  here  ?" 

"  You  may  well  say  as  much,"  cried  Paul,  who 
was  now  compelled  to  pause  from  pure  repletion  ; 
"  I  will  answer  for  some  pounds  of  the  fellow,  weigh 
ed  by  the  truest  steel-yards  west  of  the  Alleghanies. 
Still  you  may  make  out  to  keep  soul  and  body  to 
gether,  with  what  is  left,"  reluctantly  eyeing  a  piece 
large  enough  to  dine  twenty  men,  which  he  felt  com 
pelled  to  abandon  from  satiety ;  "  cut  in  nigher  to 
the  heart,  as  the  old  man  says,  and  you  will  find  the 
riches  of  the  piece." 

"  The  heart !"  exclaimed  the  Doctor,  inwardly  de 
lighted  to  learn  there  was  a  distinct  part  to  be  sub 
mitted  to  his  inspection.  "  Ay,  let  me  see  the  organ 
— it  will  at  once  determine  the  character  of  the  ani 
mal — certes  this  is  not  the  cor —  ay,  sure  enough  it 
is — the  animal  must  be  of  the  order  belluaB,  from  its 
obese  habits !" 

He  was  interrupted  by  a  long  and  hearty,  but  still 
noiseless  fit  of  merriment,  from  the  trapper,  which 
was  considered  so  ill-timed  by  the  offended  natural 
ist,  as  to  produce  an  instant  cessation  of  speech,  if 
not  a  stagnation  in  his  ideas. 

"  Listen  to  his  beasts'  habits  and  belly  orders," 
said  the  old  man,  delighted  with  the  evident  embar 
rassment  of  his  rival ;  "  and  then  he  says  it  is  nol 
the  core !  Why,  man,  you  are  farther  from  the  truth 
than  you  are  from  the  settlements,  with  all  your 
bookish  larning  and  hard  words ;  which  I  have  once 


THE     PRAIRIE.  137 

for  all,  said  cannot  be  understood  by  any  tribe  or 
nation  east  of  the  Rocky  Mountains.  Beastly  habits 
or  no  beastly  habits,  the  creatur's  are  to  be  seen 
cropping  the  prairies,  by  tens  of  thousands,  and  the 
piece  in  }rour  hand  is  the  core  of  as  juicy  a  bufFaloe- 
hump  as  stomach  need  ever  crave  !" 

"  My  aged  companion,"  said  Obed,  struggling  to 
keep  down  a  rising  irascibility,  that  he  conceived 
would  ill  comport  with  the  dignity  of  his  character, 
u  your  system  is  erroneous  from  the  premises  to  the 
conclusion,  and  your  classification  so  faulty,  as  utter 
ly  to  confound  the  distinctions  of  science.  The  buf- 
faloe  is  not  gifted  with  a  hump  at  all.  Nor  is  his 
flesh  savoury  and  wholesome,  as  I  must  acknowledge 
it  would  seem  the  subject  before  us  may  well  be 
characterized — " 

"  There  I'm  dead  against  you,  and  clearly  with 
the  trapper,"  interrupted  Paul  Hover.  "  The  man 
who  denies  that  buffaloe  beef  is  good,  should  scorn 
to  eat  it !" 

The  Doctor,  whose  observation  of  the  bee-hunter 
had  hitherto  been  exceedingly  cursory,  stared  at  the 
new  speaker  with  a  look  which  denoted  something 
like  recognition. 

"  The  principal  characteristics  of  your  coun 
tenance,  friend,"  he  said,  "  are  familiar ;  either  you, 
or  some  other  specimen  of  your  class,  is  known  to 
me." 

"  I  am  the  man  you  met  in  the  woods  east  of  the 
big  river,  and  whom  you  tried  to  persuade  to  line  a 
yellow  hornet  to  his  nest :  as  if  my  eye  was  not  too 
true  to  mistake  any  other  animal  for  a  honey-bee,  in 
a  clear  day !  we  tarried  together  a  week,  as  you  may 
remember ;  you  at  your  toads  and  lizards,  and  I  at 
my  high-holes  and  hollow  trees.  And  a  good  job  we 
made  of  it,  between  us  !  I  filled  my  tubs  with  the 
sweetest  honey  I  ever  sent  to  the  settlements,  besides 
housing  a  dozen  hives  ;  and  your  bag  was  near  burst- 
M2 


138  THE  PRAIRIE. 

ing  with  a  crawling  museum.  I  never  was  bold 
enough  to  put  the  question  to  your  face,  stranger, 
but  I  reckon  you  are  a  keeper  of  curiosities  ?" 

"  Ay !  that  is  another  of  their  wanton  wicked 
nesses  !"  exclaimed  the  trapper.  "  They  slay  the 
buck,  and  the  moose,  and  the  wild  cat  and  all  the 
beasts  that  range  the  woods,  and  after  stuffing  them 
with  worthless  rags,  and  placing  eyes  of  glass  into 
their  heads,  they  set  them  up  to  be  stared  at,  and 
call  them  the  creator's  of  the  Lord ;  as  if  any  mor 
tal  effigy  could  equal  the  works  of  his  hand  !" 

"  I  know  you  well,"  returned  the  Doctor,  on  whom 
the  plaint  of  the  old  man  produced  no  visible  im 
pression.  "  I  know  you,"  offering  his  hand  cordially 
to  Paul ;  "  it  was  a  prolific  week,  as  my  herbal  and 
catalogues  shall  one  day  prove  to  the  world.  Ay,  I 
remember  you  well,  young  man.  You  are  of  the 
class,  mammalia  ;  order,  primates  ;  genus,  homo  ; 
species,  Kentucky."  Then,  after  pausing  an  instant 
to  smile  complacently  at  his  own  humour,  the  natu 
ralist  proceeded.  "  Since  our  separation,  I  have 
journeyed  far,  having  entered  into  a  compactum  or 
agreement  with  a  certain  man,  named  Ishmael — " 

"  Bush !"  interrupted  the  impatient  and  reckless 
Paul.  "  By  the  Lord,  trapper,  this  is  the  very  blood- 
letter  that  Ellen  told  me  of!" 

"  Then  Nelly  has  not  done  me  credit  for  what  I 
trust  I  deserve  ;"  returned  the  single-minded  Doctor, 
"  for  I  am  not  of  the  phlebotomizing  school  at  all ; 
greatly  preferring  the  practice  which  purifies  the 
blood  instead  of  abstracting  it." 

"  It  was  a  blunder  of  mine,  good  stranger ;  the 
girl  called  you  a  skilful  man." 

"  Therein  she  may  have  exceeded  my  merits," 
Dr.  Battius  continued,  bowing  with  sufficient  meek 
ness.  "  But  Ellen  is  a  good,  and  a  kind,  and  a  spirit 
ed  girl,  too.  A  kind  and  a  sweet  girl  I  have  ever 
found  Nelly  Wade  to  be  !" 


THE    PRAIRIE.  139 

"  The  devil  you  have  !"  cried  Paul,  dropping  the 
morsel  he  was  sucking,  from  sheer  reluctance  to 
abandon  the  grateful  hump,  and  casting  a  fierce  and 
direct  look  into  the  very  teeth  of  the  unconscious 
physician.  "  I  reckon,  stranger,  you  have  a  mind  to 
bag  Ellen  too  1" 

"  The  riches  of  the  whole  vegetable  and  animal 
world  united,  would  not  tempt  me  to  harm  a  hair  of 
her  head !  I  love  the  child,  with  what  may  be  called 
amor  naturalis — or  rather  paternus — The  affection 
of  a  father." 

"  Ay — that  indeed  is  more  befitting  the  difference 
in  your  years,  }  Paul  coolly  rejoined,  stretching  forth 
his  hand  to  regain  the  rejected  morsel.  "  You  would 
be  no  better  than  a  drone  at  your  time  of  day,  with  a 
young  hive  to  feed  and  swarm." 

"  Yes,  there  is  reason,  because  there  is  natur',  in 
what  he  says,"  observed  the  trapper :  "  But,  friend, 
you  have  said  you  were  a  dweller  in  the  camp  of  one 
IshmaelBush?" 

"  True ;  it  is,  as  you  know,  in  virtue  of  a  com- 
pactum — " 

"  I  know  but  little  of  the  virtue  of  packing,  though 
I  follow  trapping,  in  my  old  age,  for  a  livelihood. 
They  tell  me  that  skins  are  well  kept,  in  the  new 
fashion,  but  it  is  long  since  I  have  left  off  killing 
more  than  I  need  for  food  and  garments.  I  was  an 
eye-witness,  myself,  of  the  manner  in  which  the 
Siouxes  broke  into  your  encampment,  and  drove  off 
the  cattle ;  stripping  the  poor  man  you  call  Ishmael 
of  his  smallest  hoofs,  counting  even  the  cloven  feet." 

"  Asinus  excepted ;"  muttered  the  Doctor,  who 
by  this  time  was  very  coolly  discussing  his  portion  of 
the  hump,  in  utter  forgetfulness  of  all  its  scientific 
attributes.  "Asinus  domesticus  Americanus  except- 
ed." 

"  I  am  glad  to  hear  that  so  many  of  them  are  sav 
ed,  though  I  know  not  the  value  of  the  animals  you 


140  THE    PRAIRIE. 

name  ;  which  is  nothing  uncommon,  seeing  how  long 
it  is  that  1  have  been  out  of  the  settlements.  But 
can  you  tell  me,  friend,  what  the  traveller  carries 
under  the  white  cloth,  he  guards  with  teeth  as  sharp 
as  a  wolf  that  quarrels  for  the  carcass  the  hunter 
has  left?" 

"  You've  heard  of  it !"  exclaimed  the  other,  drop 
ping  the  morsel  he  was  conveying  to  his  mouth,  in 
manifest  surprise. 

"  Nay,  I  have  heard  nothing  ;  hut  I  have  seen  the 
cloth,  and  had  like  to  have  been  bitten  for  no  greater 
crime  than  wishing  to  know  what  it  covered." 

"  Bitten  !  then  after  all  the  animal  must  be  carni 
vorous  !  It  is  too  tranquil  for  the  ursus  horridus  ;  it 
it  were  the  canis  latrans,  the  voice  would  betray  it. 
Nor  would  Nelly  Wade  be  so  familiar  with  any  of 
the  genus,  ferae.  Venerable  hunter  !  the  solitary  ani 
mal  confined  in  that  wagon  by  day,  and  in  the  tent  at 
night,  has  occasioned  me  more  perplexity  of  mind 
than  the  whole  catalogue  of  quadrupeds  besides: 
and  for  this  plain  reason ;  I  did  not  know  how  to  class 
it." 

"  You  think  it  a  ravenous  beast?" 

"  I  know  it  to  be  a  quadruped  :  your  own  danger 
proves  it  to  be  carnivorous." 

During  this  broken  explanation,  Paul  Hover  had 
sat  silent  and  thoughtful,  regarding  each  speaker  with 
eyes  of  deep  attention.  But,  as  if  suddenly  moved 
by  the  confident  manner  of  the  Doctor,  the  latter 
had  scarcely  time  to  utter  his  positive  assertion,  be 
fore  the  young  man  bluntly  demanded — 

"  And  pray,  friend,  what  may  you  call  a  quadru 
ped?" 

"  A  vagary  of  nature,  wherein  she  has  displayed 
less  of  her  infinite  wisdom  than  is  usual.  Could 
rotary  levers  be  substituted  for  two  of  the  limbs, 
agreeably  to  the  improvement  in  my  new  order  of 
phalangacrura,  which  might  be  rendered  into  the 


THE    PRAIRIE.  141 

vernacular  as  lever-legged,  there  would  be  a  delight 
ful  perfection  and  harmony  in  the  construction.  But, 
as  the  quadruped  is  now  formed,  I  call  it  a  mere 
vagary  of  nature ;  no  other  than  a  vagary." 

"  Harkee,  stranger !  in  Kentucky  we  are  but  small 
dealers  in  dictionaries.  Vagary  is  as  hard  a  word  to 
turn  into  English  as  quadruped." 

"  A  quadruped  is  an  animal  with  four  legs — a 
oeast." 

"  A  beast !  Do  you  then  reckon  that  Ishmael  Bush 
travels  with  a  beast  caged  in  that  little  wagon  ?" 

"  I  know  it,  and  lend  me  your  ear — not  literally, 
friend,"  observing  Paul  to  start  and  look  surprised, 
"  but  figuratively  through  its  functions,  and  you  shall 
hear.  I  have  already  made  known  that  in  virtue  of 
a  compactum,  I  journey  with  the  aforesaid  Ishmael 
Bush;  but  though  I  am  bound  to  perform  certain 
duties  while  the  journey  lasts,  there  is  no  condition 
which  says  that  the  said  journey  shall  be  sempiter- 
num,  or  eternal.  Now,  though  this  region  may  scarce 
ly  be  said  to  be  wedded  to  science,  being  to  all  in 
tents  a  virgin  territory  as  respects  the  inquirer  into 
natural  history,  still  it  is  greatly  destitute  of  .the  trea 
sures  of  the  vegetable  kingdom.  I  should  therefore 
have  tarried  some  hundreds  of  miles  more  to  the 
eastward,  were  it  not  for  the  inward  propensity  that 
I  feel  to  have  the  beast  in  question  inspected  and 
suitably  described  and  classed.  For  that  matter," 
he  continued,  dropping  his  voice,  like  one  who  im 
parts  an  important  secret,  "  I  am  not  without  hopes 
of  persuading  Ishmael  to  let  me  dissect  it." 

"  You  have  seen  the  creature  ?" 

"  Not  with  the  organs  of  sight ;  but  with  much 
more  infallible  instruments  of  vision  :  the  conclu 
sions  of  reason,  and  the  deductions  of  scientific  pre 
mises.  I  have  watched  the  habits  of  the  animal, 
young  man ;  and  can  fearlessly  pronounce,  by  evi 
dence  that  would  be  thrown  away  on  ordinary  ob- 


142  THE    PRAIRIE. 

servers,  that  it  is  of  vast  dimensions,  inactive,  possi 
bly  torpid,  of  voracious  appetite,  and,  as  it  now  ap 
pears  by  the  direct  testimony  of  this  venerable  hunt 
er,  ferocious  and  carnivorous  !" 

"  I  should  be  better  pleased,  stranger,"  said  Paul, 
on  whom  the  Doctor's  description  was  making  a  very 
sensible  impression,  "to  be  sure  the  creature  was 
a  beast  at  all." 

"  As  to  that,  if  I  wanted  evidence  of  a  fact,  which 
is  abundantly  apparent  by  the  habits  of  the  animal, 
I  have  the  word  of  Ishmael,  himself.  A  reason  can 
be  given  for  my  smallest  deductions.  I  am  not  trou 
bled,  young  man,  with  a  vulgar  and  idle  curiosity, 
but  all  my  aspirations  after  knowledge,  as  I  humbly 
believe,  are,  first,  for  the  advancement  of  learning, 
and  secondly,  for  the  benefit  of  my  fellow-creatures. 
I  pined  greatly  in  secret  to  know  the  contents  of  the 
tent,  which  Ishmael  guarded  so  carefully,  and  which 
he  had  covenanted  that  I  should  swear,  (jurare  per 
deos)  not  to  approach  nigher  than  a  defined  number 
of  cubits,  for  a  definite  period  of  time.  Your  jus- 
jurandurn,  or  oath,  is  a  serious  matter,  and  not  to  be 
dealt  in  lightly  ;  but,  as  my  expedition  depended  on 
complying,  I  consented  to  the  act,  reserving  to  my 
self  at  all  times  the  power  of  distant  observation.  Il 
is  now  some  ten  days  since  Ishmael,  pitying  the  state 
in  which  he  saw  me,  a  humble  lover  of  science,  im 
parted  the  fact  that  the  vehicle  contained  a  beast, 
which  he  was  carrying  into  the  prairies  as  a  decoy, 
by  which  he  intends  to  entrap  others  of  the  same 
genus,  or  perhaps  species.  Since  then,  my  task  has 
been  reduced  simply  to  watch  the  habits  of  the  ani 
mal,  and  to  record  the  results.  When  we  reach  a 
certain  distance  where  these  beasts  are  said  to  abound, 
I  am  to  have  the  liberal  examination  of  the  speci 
men." 

Paul  continued  to  listen,  in  the  most  profound 
silence,  until  the  Doctor  concluded  his  singular  but 


THE    PRAIRIE.  143 

characteristic  explanation ;  then  the  incredulous  bee- 
hunter  shook  his  head,  and  saw  fit  to  reply,  by  say 
ing— 

"Stranger,  old  Ishmael  has  burrowed  you  in  the 
very  bottom  of  a  hollow  tree,  where  your  eyes  will 
be  of  no  more  use  than  the  sting  of  a  drone.  I,  too, 
know  something  of  that  very  wagon,  and  I  may  say 
that  I  have  lined  the  squatter  down  into  a  flat  lie. 
Harkee,  friend  ;  do  you  think  a  girl,  like  Ellen  Wade, 
would  become  the  companion  of  a  wild  beast  ?" 

"  Why  not !  why  not  1"  repeated  the  naturalist ; 
tt  Nelly  has  a  taste  for  learning,  and  often  listens  with 
pleasure  to  the  treasures  that  I  am  sometimes  com 
pelled  to  scatter  in  this  desert.  Why  should  she  not 
study  the  habits  of  any  animal,  even  though  it  were 
a  rhinoceros !" 

"  Softly,  softly,"  returned  the  equally  positive,  and, 
though  less  scientific,  certainly,  on  this  subject,  bet 
ter  instructed  bee-hunter  ;  "  Ellen  is  a  girl  of  spirit, 
and  one  too  that  knows  her  own  mind,  or  I'm  much 
mistaken  ;  but  with  all  her  courage  and  brave  looks, 
she  is  no  better  than  a  woman  after  all.  Haven't  I 
often  had  the  girl,  crying — " 

"  You  are  an  acquaintance,  then,  of  Nelly's  ?" 

"  The  devil  a  bit.  But  I  know  a  woman  is  a  wo 
man  ;  and  all  the  books  in  Kentucky  couldn't  make 
Ellen  Wade  go  into  a  tent  alone  with  a  ravenous 
beast !" 

"  It  seems  to  me,"  the  trapper  calmly  observed, 
"  that  there  is  something  dark  and  hidden  in  this 
matter.  I  am  a  witness  that  the  traveller  likes  none 
to  look  into  the  tent,  and  1  have  a  proof  more  sure 
than  what  either  of  you  can  lay  claim  to,  that  the 
wagon  does  not  carry  the  cage  of  a  beast.  Here  is 
Hector,  come  of  a  breed  with  noses  as  true  and 
faithful  as  a  hand  that  is  all-powerful  has  made  any 
of  their  kind,  and  had  there  been  a  beas  in  the 


144  THE    PRAIRIE. 

place,  the  hound  would  long  since  have  told  it  to  his 
master." 

"  Do  you  pretend  to  oppose  a  dog  to  a  man  !  bru 
tality  to  learning !  instinct  to  reason  !"  exclaimed 
the  Doctor  in  some  heat.  "  In  what  manner,  pray, 
can  a  hound  distinguish  the  habits,  species,  or  even 
the  genus  of  an  animal,  like  reasoning,  learned,  scien 
tific,  triumphant  man !" 

"In  what  manner?"  coolly  repeated  the  veteran 
woodsman.  "  Listen ;  and  if  you  believe  that  a 
schoolmaster  can  make  a  quicker  wit  than  the  Lord, 
you  shall  be  made  to  see  how  much  you're  mistaken. 
Do  you  not  hear  something  move  in  the  brake  ?  it 
has  been  cracking  the  twigs  these  five  minutes.  Now 
tell  me  what  the  creatur'  is  ?" 

"  I  hope  nothing  ferocious  !"  exclaimed  the  Doc 
tor,  starting,  for  he  still  retained  a  lively  impression 
of  his  rencounter  with  the  vespertilio  horribilis. 
"  You  have  rifles,  friends  ;  would  it  not  be  prudent 
to  prime  them,  for  my  fowling-piece  is  little  to  be 
depended  on." 

"  There  may  be  reason  in  what  he  says,"  returned 
the  trapper,  smiling,  and  so  far  complying  as  to  take 
his  piece  from  the  place  where  it  had  lain  during  the 
repast,  and  raising  its  muzzle  in  the  air.  "  Now  tell 
me  the  name  of  the  creatur'  ?" 

"  It  exceeds  the  limits  of  earthly  knowledge  !  Buf 
fon  himself  could  not  tell  whether  the  animal  was  a 
quadruped,  or  of  the  order,  serpens  !  a  sheep,  or  a 
tiger !" 

"  Then  was  your  buffoon  a  fool  to  my  Hector ! 
Here ;  pup  !  What  is  it,  dog  ?  Shall  we  run  it  down, 
pup — or  shall  we  let  it  pass  ?" 

The  hound,  which  had  already  manifested  to  the 
experienced  trapper,  by  the  tremulous  motion  of  his 
ears,  his  consciousness  of  the  proximity  of  a  strange 
animal,  now  lifted  his  head  from  his  fore  paws  and 


THE    PRAIRIE.  145 

slightly  parted  his  lips,  as  if  about  to  shew  the  rerti- 
nants  of  his  teeth.  But,  suddenly  abandoning  his 
hostile  purpose,  he  snuffed  the  air  a  moment,  gaped 
heavily,  shook  himself,  and  then  peaceably  resumed 
his  former  recumbent  attitude. 

"  Now  Doctor,"  cried  the  trapper,  triumphantly, 
"  I  am  well  convinced  there  is  neither  game  nor  rav 
enous  beast  in  the  thicket  ;  and  that  I  call  substantial 
knowledge  to  a  man  who  is  too  old  to  be  a  spend 
thrift  of  his  strength,  and  yet  who  would  not  wish  to 
be  a  meal  for  a  panther  !" 

The  dog  interrupted  his  master  by  a  loud  growl, 
but  still  kept  his  head  crouched  to  the  earth. 

"  It  is  a  man  !"  exclaimed  the  trapper,  rising.  "  It 
is  a  man,  if  I  am  a  judge  of  the  creatu^s  ways. 
There  is  but  little  said  atwixt  the  hound  and  me,  but 
we  seldom  make  a  blunder  !" 

Paul  Hover  sprang  to  his  feet  like  lightning,  and, 
throwing  forward  his  rifle,  he  cried  in  a  voice  of 
menace  — 

"  Come  forward,  if  a  friend  ;  if  an  enemy,  stand 
ready  for  the  worst  !" 

"  A  friend,  a  white  man,  and  I  hope  a  Christian," 
returned  a  voice  from  the  thicket  ;  which  opened  at 
the  same  instant,  and  at  the'  next,  the  speaker  him 
self  made  his  appearance. 


CHAPTER  X. 

"  Go  apart,  Adam,  and  thou  shalt  hear 
How  he  will  shake  me  up." 

As  you  like  it. 

IT  is  well  known,  that  even  long  before  the  im-  1 

mense  regions  of  Louisiana  changed  their  masters  I 

for  the  second,  and,  as  it  is  to  be  hoped  for  the  last  I 

N  * 


146  THE    PRAIRIE. 

I  time,  its  unguarded  territory  was  by  no  means  safe 
I  from  the  inroads  of  white  adventurers.  The  semi- 
barbarous  hunters  from  the  Canadas,  the  same  de 
scription  of  population,  a  little  more  enlightened^ 
from  the  States,  and  the  metiffs  or  half-breeds,  who 
claimed  to  be  ranked  in  the  class  of  white  men,  were 
scattered  among  the  different  Indian  tribes,  or  glean 
ed  a  scanty  livelihood  in  solitude,  amid  the  haunts  of 
the  beaver  and  the  bison ;  or,  to  adopt  the  popular 
nomenclature  of  the  country — of  the  buffaloe.* 

It  was,  therefore,  no  unusual  thing  for  strangers  to 
encounter  each  other  in  the  endless  wastes  of  the 
west.  By  signs,  which  an  unpractised  eye  would 
pass  unobserved,  these  borderers  knew  when  one  of 
his  fellows  was  in  his  vicinity,  and  he  avoided  or  ap 
proached  the  intruder  as  best  comported  with  his 
feelings  or  his  interests.  Generally,  these  interviews 
were  pacific  ;  for  the  whites  had  a  common  enemy  to 
dread,  in  the  ancient  and  perhaps  more  lawful  occu 
pants  of  the  country ;  but  instances  were  not  rare, 
m  which  jealousy  and  cupidity  had  caused  them  to 
terminate  in  scenes  of  the  most  violent  and  ruthless 
treachery.  The  meeting  of  two  hunters  on  the 
American  desert,  as  we  find  it  convenient  sometimes 
to  call  this  region,  was  consequently,  somewhat  in 
the  suspicious  and  wary  manner  in  which  two  vessels 
draw  together  in  a  sea  that  is  known  to  be  infested 

I  with  pirates.  While  neither  party  is  willing  to  betray 
its  weakness,  by  exhibiting  distrust,  neither  is  dispos 
ed  to  commit  itself  by  any  acts  of  confidence,  from 
which  it  may  be  difficult  to  recede. 

Such  was,  in  some  degree,  the  character  of  the 
present  interview.  The  stranger  drew  nigh,  deliber 
ately;  keeping  his  eyes  steadily  fastened  on  the 

*  In  addition  to  the  scientific  distinctions  which  mark  the  two 
species,  it  may  be  added,  with  due  deference  to  Dr.  Battius,  that  a 
much  more  important  particular  is  the  fact,  that  while  the  former  of 
these  animals  is  delicious  and  nourishing  food,  the  latter  is  scarcely 
edible. 


THE    PRAIRIE.  147 

movements  of  the  other  party,  while  he  purposely 
created  little  difficulties  to  impede  an  approach 
which  might  prove  too  hasty.  On  the  other  hand, 
Paul  stood  playing  with  the  lock  of  his  rifle,  too 
proud  to  let  it  appear  that  three  men  could  manifest 
any  apprehension  of  a  solitary  individual,  and  yet 
too  prudent  to  omit,  entirely,  the  customary  precau 
tions.  The  principal  reason  of  the  marked  differ 
ence,  which  the  two  legitimate  proprietors  of  the 
banquet  made  in  the  receptions  of  their  guests,  was 
to  be  explained  by  the  entire  difference  which  exist 
ed  in  their  respective  appearances. 

While  the  exterior  of  the  naturalist  was  decidedly 
pacific,  not  to  say  abstracted,  that  of  the  new  comer, 
was  distinguished  by  an  air  of  vigour,  and  a  front 
and  step  which  it  would  not  have  been  difficult  to 
have  at  once  pronounced  to  be  military. 

He  wore  a  forage-cap  of  fine  blue  cloth,  from 
which  depended  a  soiled  tassel  in  gold,  and  which 
was  nearly  buried  in  a  mass  of  exuberant,  curling, 
jet-black  hair.  Around  his  throat  he  had  negligently 
fastened  a  stock  of  black  silk.  His  body  was  en 
veloped  in  a  hunting-shirt  of  dark  green,  trimmed 
with  the  yellow  fringes  and  ornaments  that  were 
sometimes  seen  among  the  border-troops  of  the  Con 
federacy.  Beneath  this,  however,  were  visible  the 
collar  and  lappells  of  a  jacket,  similar  in  colour  and 
cloth  to  the  cap.  His  lower  limbs  were  protected 
by  buckskin  leggings,  and  his  feet  by  the  ordinary 
Indian  moccasins.  A  richly  ornamented,  and  ex 
ceedingly  dangerous  straight  dirk,  was  stuck  in  a  sash 
of  red  silk-net  work ;  another  girdle  or  rather  belt 
of  uncoloured  leather  contained  a  pair  of  the  small 
est  sized  pistols,  in  holsters  nicely  made  to  fit,  and 
across  his  shoulder  was  thrown  a  short,  heavy,  mili 
tary  rifle ;  its  horn  and  pouch  occupying  the  usual 
places  beneath  his  arms.  At  his  back  he  bore  a  knap- 
eack,  which  was  marked  by  the  well  known  initials 


148  THE   PRAIRIE. 

that  have  since  gained  for  tbe  government  of  the 
United  States,  the  good-humoured  and  quaint  appel 
lation  of  Uncle  Sam. 

"  I  come  in  amity,"  the  stranger  said,  like  one  too 
much  accustomed  to  the  sight  of  arms  to  be  startled 
at  the  ludicrously  belligerent  attitude  which  Dr.  Bat- 
tius  had  seen  fit  to  assume.  "  I  come  as  a  friend ; 
and  am  one  whose  pursuits  and  wishes  will  not  at  all 
interfere  with  your  own." 

"  Harkee,  stranger,"  said  Paul  Hover,  bluntly ; 
"do  you  understand  lining  a  bee  from  this  open 
place  into  a  wood,  distant,  perhaps,  a  dozen  miles." 

"  The  bee  is  a  bird  I  have  never  been  compelled 
to  seek,"  returned  the  other,  laughing ;  "  though  I 
have,  too,  been  something  of  a  fowler  in  my  time." 

"  I  thought  as  much,"  exclaimed  Paul,  thrusting 
forth  his  hand  frankly,  and  with  the  true  freedom  of 
manner  that  marks  an  American  borderer.  "  Let  us 
cross  fingers.  You  and  I  will  never  quarrel  about  the 
comb,  since  you  set  such  little  store  by  the  honey. 
And,  now,  if  your  stomach  has  an  empty  corner,  and 
you  know  how  to  relish  a  genuine  dew-drop  when  it 
falls  into  your  very  mouth,  there  lies  the  exact  mor 
sel  to  put  into  it.  Try  it,  stranger  ;  and  having  tried 
it,  if  you  dont  call  it  as  snug  a  fit  as  you  have  made 
since — How  long  ar'  you  from  the  settlements, 
pray  ?" 

"  'Tis  many  weeks,  and  I  fear  it  may  be  as  many 
more,  before  I  can  return.  I  will,  however,  gladly 
profit  by  your  invitation,  for  1  have  fasted  since  the 
rising  of  yesterday's  sun,  and  I  know  too  well  the 
merits  of  a  bison's  hump  to  reject  the  food." 

"  Ah !  you're  acquainted  with  the  dish  !  Well, 
therein  you  have  the  advantage  of  me,  in  setting  out, 
though  I  think,  I  may  say  we  could  now,  start  on 
equal  ground.  I  should  be  the  happiest  fellow,  be 
tween  Kentucky  and  the  Rocky  Mountains,  if  I  had 
a  snug  cabin,  near  some  old  wood  that  was  filled 


THE    PRAIRIE.  149 

with  hollow  trees,  just  such  a  hump  every  day  as 
that  for  dinner,  a  load  of  fresh  straw  for  hives,  and 
little  El—" 

"  Little  what  ?"  demanded  the  stranger,  evidently 
amused  with  the  communicative  and  frank  disposi 
tion  of  the  bee-hunter. 

"  Something  that  I  shall  have  one  day,  and  which 
concerns  nohody  so  much  as  myself;1'  returned  Paul, 
picking  the  flint  of  his  rifle,  and  beginning  very 
cavalierly  to  whistle  an  air  well  known  on  the  wa 
ters  of  the  Mississippi. 

During  this  preliminary  discourse  the  stranger  had 
taken  his  seat  by  the  side  of  the  hump,  and  was  al 
ready  making  a  serious  inroad  on  its  relics.  Dr. 
Battius,  however,  watched  his  movements  with  a 
jealousy,  still  more  striking  than  the  cordial  recep 
tion  which  the  open-hearted  Paul  had  just  exhibited. 

But  the  doubts  or  rather  apprehensions  of  the 
naturalist  were  of  a  character  altogether  different , 
from  the  confidence  of  the  bee-hunter.  He  had  been  j? 
struck  with  the  stranger's  using  the  legitimate,  in-  f 
stead  of  the  perverted  name  of  the  animal  off  which 
he  was  making  his  repast;  and  as  he  had  been 
among  the  foremost  himself  to  profit  by  the  removal 
of  the  impediments  which  the  policy  of  Spain  had 
placed  in  the  way  of  all  explorers  of  her  Trans-At 
lantic  dominions,  whether  bent  on  the  purposes  of 
commerce,  or,  like  himself,  on  the  more  laudable 
pursuits  of  science,  he  had  a  sufficiency  of  every-day 
philosophy  to  feel  that  the  same  motives,  which  had 
so  powerfully  urged  himself  to  his  present  under 
taking,  might  produce  a  like  result  on  the  mind  of 
some  other  student  of  nature.  Here,  then,  was  the 
prospect  of  an  alarming  rivalry,  which  bade  fair  to 
strip  him  of  at  least  a  moiety  of  the  just  rewards  of 
all  his  labours,  privations  and  dangers.  Under  these 
views  of  his  character,  therefore,  it  is  not  at  all  sur 
prising  that  the  native  meekness  of  the  naturalist's 

N2 


150  THE  PRAIRIE. 

disposition  was  a  little  disturbed,  and  that  he  watch 
ed  the  proceedings  of  the  other  with  such  a  degree 
of  vigilance  as  he  believed  best  suited  to  detect  his 
sinister  designs. 

"  This  is  truly  a  delicious  repast,"  observed  the 
unconscious  young  stranger,  for  both  young  and 
handsome  he  was  fairly  entitled  to  be  considered; 
"  either  hunger  has  given  a  peculiar  relish  to  the 
viand,  or  the  bison  may  lay  claim  to  be  the  finest  of 
the  ox  family !" 

"Naturalists,  sir,  are  apt,  when  they  speak  fa 
miliarly,  to  give  the  cow  the  credit  of  the  genus," 
said  Dr.  Battius,  swelling  with  his  secret  distrust,  and 
clearing  his  throat,  before  speaking,  much  in  the 
manner  that  a  duellist  examines  the  point  of  the 
weapon  he  is  about  to  plunge  into  the  body  of  his 
foe.  "  The  figure  is  more  perfect ;  as  the  bos,  mean 
ing  the  ox,  is  unable  to  perpetuate  his  kind  ;  and  the 
bos,  in  its  most  extended  meaning,  or  vacca,  is  alto 
gether  the  nobler  animal  of  the  two." 

The  Doctor  uttered  this  opinion  with  a  certain 
air,  which  he  intended  should  express  his  readiness 
to  come,  at  once,  to  any  of  the  numerous  points  of 
difference  which  he  doubted  not  existed  between 
them  ;  and  he  now  awaited  the  blow  of  his  antago 
nist,  intending  that  his  next  thrust  should  be  still 
more  vigorous.  But  the  young  stranger  appeared 
much  better  disposed  to  partake  of  the  good  cheer 
with  which  he  had  been  so  providentially  provided, 
than  to  take  up  the  cudgels  of  argument  on  this,  or 
on  any  other  of  the  knotty  points  which  are  so  apt 
to  furnish  the  lovers  of  science  with  the  materials  of 
i  mental  joust. 

"  I  dare  say  you  are  very  right,  sir,"  he  replied, 
with  a  most  provoking  indifference  to  the  importance 
of  the  points  he  conceded.  "  I  dare  say  you  are 
quite  right;  and  that  vacca  would  have  been  the 
better  word." 


THE    PRAIRIE.  151 

**  Pardon  me,  sir ;  you  are  giving  a  very  wrong 
construction  to  my  language,  if  you  suppose  I  in 
clude,  without  many  and  particular  qualifications, 
the  bibulus  Americanus,  in  the  family  of  the  vacca. 
For,  as  you  well  know,  sir — or,  as  I  presume  I  should 
say,  Doctor — you  have  the  medical  diploma,  no 
doubt?—" 

"You  give  me  credit  for  an  honour  I  can  lay 
no  claim  to,"  interrupted  the  other. 

"  An  under-graduate  ! — or  perhaps  your  degrees 
have  been  taken  in  some  other  of  the  liberal  sci 
ences?" 

"  Still  wrong,  I  do  assure  you." 

"  Surely,  young  man,  you  have  not  entered  on  this\ 
important — I  may  say,  this  awful  service,  without 
some  evidence  of  your  fitness  for  the  task  !  Some 
commission  by  which  you  can  assert  an  authority  to 
proceed,  or  by  which  you  may  claim  an  affinity  and 
a  communion  with  your  fellow-workers  in  the  same 
beneficent  pursuits !" 

"  I  know  not  by  what  means,  or  for  what  pur 
poses,  you  have  made  yourself  master  of  my  ob 
jects  !"  exclaimed  the  youth,  reddening  and  rising 
with  a  quickness  which  manifested  how  little  he  re 
garded  the  grosser  appetites,  when  a  subject  nearer 
his  heart  was  approached.  "  Still,  sir,  your  language 
is  incomprehensible.  That  pursuit,  which  in  another 
might  perhaps  be  justly  called  beneficent,  is,  in  me, 
a  dear  and  cherished  duty ;  though  why  a  commis 
sion  should  be  demanded  or  needed  is,  I  confess,  no 
l*ss  a  subject  of  surprise." 

"  It  is  customary  to  be  provided  with  such  a  docu 
ment,"  returned  the  Doctor,  gravely ;  "  and,  on  all 
suitable  occasions  to  produce  it,  in  order  that  conge 
nial  and  friendly  minds  may,  at  once,  reject  unwor 
thy  suspicions,  and  stepping  over,  what  may  be  called 
the  elements  of  discourse,  come  at  once  to  those 
points  which  are  desiderata  to  both," 


152  THE    PRAIRIE. 

"It  is  a  strange  request!"  the  youth  muttered, 
turning  his  dark,  frowning  eye  from  one  to  the  other, 
as  if  examining  the  characters  of  his  companions, 
with  a  view  to  weigh  their  physical  powers.  Then, 
putting  his  hand  into  his  bosom,  he  drew  forth  a 
small  box,  and  extending  it  with  an  air  of  dignity  to 
wards  the  Doctor,  he  continued — "  You  will  find 
by  this,  sir,  that  I  have  some  right  to  travel  in  a 
country  which  is  now  the  property  of  the  American 
States." 

"  What  have  we  here  !"  exclaimed  the  naturalist, 
opening  the  folds  of  a  large  parchment.  "•  Why, 
this  is  the  sign-manual  of  .the  philosopher,  Jefferson  f 
The  seal  of  state  ?  Countersigned  by  the  ministei 
of  war  !  Why  this  is  a  commission  creating  Duncan 
Uncas  Middleton  a  captain  of  artillery !" 

"  Of  whom  ?  of  whom?"  repeated  the  trapper,  who 
had  sat  regarding  the  stranger,  during  the  whole  dis 
course,  with  eyes  that  seemed  greedily  to  devout 
each  lineament.  "  How  is  the  name  ?  did  you  call 
him  Uncas  ? — Uncas  t  Was  it  Uncas  ?" 

"  Such  is  my  name,"  returned  the  youth,,  a  little 
haughtily.  "  It  is  the  appellation  of  a  native  chief, 
that  both  my  uncle  and  myself  bear  with  pride ;  far 
it  is  the  memorial  of  an  important  service  done  my 
family  by  a  warrior  in  the  old  wars  of  the  provin 
ces." 

"  Uncas !  did  ye  call  him  Uncas  T"  repeated  the 
trapper,  approaching  the  youth  and  parting  the  dark 
curls  which  clustered  over  his  broad  brow,  without 
the  slightest  resistance  on  the  part  of  their  wonder 
ing  owner.  "  Ah  !  my  eyes  are  old,  and  not  so  keen 
as  when  I  was  a  warrior  myself;  but  I  can  see  the 
look  of  the  father  in  the  son  f  I  saw  it  when  he  first 
came  nigh ,  but  so  many  things  have  since  passed 
before  my  failing  sight,  that  I  could  not  name  the 
place  where  I  had  met  his  likeness  !  Tell  me,,  lad ; 
by  what  name  is  your  father  known  ?w 


THE    PRAIRIE.  153 


"He  was  an  officer  of  the  States  in  the  war  of  the 
revolution,  of  my  own  name  of  course  ;  my  mother's 
brother  was  called  Duncan  Uncas  Heyward." 

"  Still  Uncas !  still  Uncas !"  echoed  the  other, 
trembling  with  eagerness.  "  And  his  father  ?" 

"  Was  called  the  same,  without  the  appellation  of 
the  native  chief.  It  was  to  him,  and  to  my  grand 
mother,  that  the  service  of  which  I  have  just  spoken 
was  rendered." 

"  I  know'd  it!  I  know'd  it !"  shouted  the  old  man, 
in  his  tremulous  voice,  his  rigid  features  working 
powerfully,  as  if  the  names  the  other  mentioned 
awakened  some  long  dormant  emotions,  connected 
with  the  events  of  an  anterior  age.  "  I  know'd  it ! 
son  or  grandson,  it  is  all  the  same ;  it  is  the  blood, 
and  'tis  the  look  !  Tell  me,  is  he  they  call'd  Duncan, 
without  the  Uncas — is  he  living  !" 

The  young  man  shook  his  head  sorrowfully,  as  he 
replied  in  the  negative. 

"  He  died  full  of  days  and  of  honours.  Beloved, 
happy  and  bestowing  happiness?" 

"  Full  of  days  !"  repeated  the  trapper,  looking 
down  at  his  own  meagre,  but  still  muscular  hands. 
"  Ah  !  he  liv'd  in  the  settlements,  and  was  wise  only 
after  their  fashions.  But  you  have  often  seen  him ; 
and  you  have  heard  him  discourse  of  Uncas,  and  of 
the  wilderness?" 

"Often!  he  was  then  an  officer  of  the  king;  but*1 
when  the  war  took  place  between  the  crown  and  her 
colonies,  my  grandfathei  did  not  forget  his  birth 
place,  but  threw  off  the  empty  allegiance  of  names, 
and  was  true  to  his  proper  country  ;  he  fought  on 
the  side  of  liberty."  J 

"  There  was  reason  in  it;  and  what  is  better,  there 
was  natur' !  Come,  sit  ye  down  beside  me  lad ;  sit 
ye  down,  and  tell  me  of  what  your  grand 'ther  used 
to  speak,  when  his  mind  dwelt  on  the  wonders  of  the 
wilderness." 


\ 


154  THE    PRAIRIE. 

The  youth  smiled,  no  less  at  the  importunity  than 
at  the  interest  manifested  by  the  old  man ;  but  as  he 
found  there  was  no  longer  the  least  appearance  of 
any  violence  being  contemplated,  he  unhesitatingly 
complied. 

"  Give  it  all  to  the  trapper  by  rule,  and  by  figures 
of  speech ;"  said  Paul,  very  coolly  taking  his  seat  on 
the  other  side  of  the  young  soldier.  "  It  is  the  fashion 
of  old  age  to  relish  these  ancient  traditions,  and,  for 
that  matter,  I  can  say  that  I  don't  dislike  to  listen  to 
them  myself." 

Middleton  smiled  again,  and  perhaps  with  a  slight 
air  of  derision ;  but  good-naturedly  turning  to  tht» 
trapper,  he  continued — 

"  It  is  a  long,  and  might  prove  a  painful  story. 
Bloodshed  and  all  the  horrors  of  Indian  cruelty  and 
of  Indian  warfare,  are  fearfully  mingled  in  the  narra 
tive." 

"  Ay,  give  it  all  to  us,  stranger,"  continued  Paul ; 
"  we  are  used  to  these  matters  in  Kentuck,  and,  I 
must  say,  I  think  a  story  none  the  worse  for  having  a 
few  scalps  in  it !" 

"  But  he  told  you  of  Uncas,  did  he  !"  resumed  the 
trapper,  without  regarding  the  slight  interruptions  of 
the  bee-hunter,  which  amounted  to  no  more  than  a 
sort  of  by-play.  "  And,  what  thought  he  and  said 
he  of  the  lad,  in  his  parlour,  with  the  comforts  and 
ease  of  the  settlements  at  his  elbow  ?" 

"  I  doubt  not  he  used  a  language  similar  to  that  he 
would  have  adopted  in  the  woods,  and  had  he  stood 
face  to  face,  with  his  friend — " 

"  Did  he  call  the  savage  his  friend  ;  the  poor,  na- 
^ed,  painted  warrior  ?  he  was  not  too  proud  then  to 
call  the  Indian  his  friend  ?" 

"  He  even  boasted  of  the  connexion  •  and  as  you 
have  already  heard,  bestowed  a  name  on  his  first 
born,  which  is  likely  to  be  handed  down  as  an  heir 
loom  among  the  rest  of  his  descendants." 


THE    PRAIRIE.  155 

**  It  was  well  done !  like  a  man :  ay !  and  like  a 
Christian,  too  !  He  used  to  say  the  Delaware  was 
swift  of  foot — did  he  remember  that?" 

"  As  the  antelope  !  Indeed,  he  often  spoke  of  him 
by  the  appellation  of  Le  Cerf  Agile,  a  name  he  had 
obtained  by  his  activity." 

"  And  bold,  and  fearless,  lad  !"  continued  the  trap 
per  looking  up  into  the  eyes  of  his  companion,  with 
a  wistfulness  that  bespoke  the  delight  he  received  in 
listening  to  the  praises  of  one,  whom  it  was  so  very 
evident,  he  had  once  tenderly  loved. 

u  Brave  as  a  blooded  hound  !  Without  fear  !  He 
always  quoted  Uncas  and  his  father,  who  from  his 
wisdom  was  called  the  Great  Serpent,  as  models  of 
heroism  and  constancy," 

"  He  did  them  justice !  he  dfd  them  justice !  Truer 
men,  were  not  to  be  found  in  any  tribe  or  nation, 
be  their  skins  of  what  colour  they  might.  I  see  your 
grand'ther  was  just,  and  did  his  duty,  too,  by  his  off 
spring  !  'Twas  a  perilous  time  he  had  of  it,  among 
them  hills,  and  nobly  did  he  play  his  own  part !  Tell 
me  lad,  or  officer,  I  should  say, — since  officer  you  be 
—was  this  all  ?" 

"  Certainly  not ;  it  was,  as  I  have  said,  a  fearful 
tale,  full  of  moving  incidents,  and  the  memories  both 
of  my  grandfather  and  of  my  grandmother — " 

"  Ah  !"  exclaimed  the  trapper,  tossing  a  hand  into 
the  air  as  his  whole  countenance  lighted  with  the 
recollections  the  name  revived.  "  They  called  her 
Alice  !  Elsie  or  Alice ;  'tis  all  the  same.  A  laughing, 
playful  child  she  was,  when  happy ;  and  tender  and 
weeping  in  her  misery  !  Her  hair  was  shining  and 
yellow,  as  the  coat  of  the  young  fawn,  and  her  skin 
clearer  than  the  purest  water  that  drips  from  the 
rock.  Well  do  I  remember  her !  I  remember  her 
right  well !" 

"  The  lip  of  the  youth  slightly  curled,  and  he  re- 


156  THE    PRAIRIE. 

garded  the  old  man  with  an  expression,  arhich  might 
easily  have  been  construed  into  a  declaration  that 
such  were  not  his  own  recollections  of  his  venerable 
and  revered  ancestor,  though  it  would  seem  he  did 
not  think  it  necessary  to  say  as  much  in  words.  He 
was  content  to  answer : — 

"  They  both  retained  impressions  of  the  dangers 
they  had  passed,  by  far  too  vivid  easily  to  lose  the 
recollection  of  any  of  their  fellow-actors." 

The  trapper  looked  aside,  and  seemed  to  struggle 
with  some  deeply  innate  feeling ;  then,  turning  again 
towards  his  companion,  though  his  honest  eyes  no 
longer  dwelt  with  the  same  open  interest,  as  before, 
on  the  countenance  of  the  other,  he  continued — 

"  Did  he  tell  you  of  them  all  ?  Were  they  all 
red-skins,  but  himself  and  the  daughters  of  Munro?" 

"  No.  There  was  a  white  man  associated  with  the 
Delawares.  A  scout  of  the  English  army,  but  a  na 
tive  of  the  provinces." 

"A  drunken, worthless  vagabond,  like  most  of  his 
colour  who  harbour  with  the  savages,  I  warrant 
you  !" 

"  Old  man,  your  gray  hairs  should  caution  you 
against  slander.  The  man,  I  speak  of,  was  of  great 
simplicity  of  mind,  but  of  sterling  worth.  Unlike 
most  of  those  who  live  a  border  life,  he  united  the 
better,  instead  of  the  worst  qualities,  of  the  two  peo 
ple.  He  was  a  man  endowed  with  the  choicest  and 
perhaps  rarest  gift  of  nature ;  that  of  distinguishing 
good  from  evil.  His  virtues  were  those  of  simplicity, 
because  such  were  the  fruits  of  his  habits,  as  were 
indeed  his  very  prejudices.  In  courage  he  was  the 
equal  of  his  red  associates ;  in  warlike  skill,  being 
better  instructed,  their  superior.  l  In  short,  he  was 
a  noble  shoot  from  the  stock  of  human  nature,  which 
never  could  attain  its  proper  elevation  and  impor 
tance,  foi  no  other  reason,  than  because  it  grew  in 


THE    PRAIRIE.  157 

the  forest:'  su:h,  old  hunter,  were  the  very  words 
of  my  grandfather,  when  speaking  of  the  man  you 
imagine  so  worthless !" 

The  eyes  of  the  trapper  had  sunk  to  the  earth,  as 
the  stranger  delivered  this  character  of  the  subject 
of  their  discourse  in  the  ardent  tones  of  generous 
youth.  He  played  with  the  ears  of  his  hound; 
fingered  his  own  rustic  garment,  and  opened  and  shut 
the  pan  of  his  rifle,  with  hands  that  trembled  in  a 
manner  that  would  have  implied  their  total  unfitness 
to  wield  the  weapon.  When  the  other  had  conclud 
ed  he  hoarsely  added — 

"  Your  grand 'ther  didn't  then  entirely  forget  the 
white  man !" 

"  So  far  from  that,  there  are  already  three  among 
us,  who  have  also  names  derived  from  that  scout." 

"  A  name,  did  you  say  ?"  exclaimed  the  old  man, 
starting  ;  "  what,  the  name  of  the  solitary,  unl'arned 
hunter?  Do  the  great,  and  the  rich,  and  the  hon 
oured,  and,  what  is  better  still,  the  just,  do  they  bear 
his  very,  actual,  name  ?" 

"  It  is  borne  by  my  brother,  and  by  two  of  my 
cousins,  whatever  may  be  their  titles  to  be  described 
by  the  terms  you  have  mentioned." 

"Do  you  mean  the  actual  name  itself;  spelt  with 
the  very  same  letters,  beginning  with  an  N  and  end 
ing  with  an  L  ?" 

"  Exactly  the  same,"  the  youth  smilingly  replied. 
"  No,  no,  we  have  forgotten  nothing  that  was  his.  I 
have  at  this  moment  a  dog  brushing  a  deer,  not  far 
from  this,  who  is  come  of  a  hound  that  very  scout 
sent  as  a  present  after  his  friends,  and  which  was  of 
the  stock  he  always  used  himself:  a  truer  breed,  in 
nose  and  foot,  is  not  to  be  found  in  the  wide  Union." 

"Hector!"  said  the  old  man,  struggling  to  conquer 

an  emotion  that  nearly  suffocated  him,  and  speaking 

to  his  hound  in  the  sort  of  tones  he  would  have  used 

to  a  child,  "  do  ye  hear  that,  pup !  your  kin  and 

O 


158  THE    PRAIRIE. 

blood  are  in  the  prairie  !  A  name — it  is  wonderful 
— it  is  very  wonderful !" 

Nature  could  endure  no  more.  Overcome  by  a 
flood  of  unusual  and  extraordinary  sensations,  and 
stimulated  by  tender  and  long  dormant  recollections, 
strangely  and  unexpectedly  revived,  the  old  man  had 
just  self-command  enough  to  add,  in  a  voice  that 
was  hollow  and  unnatural,  through  the  efforts  he 
made  to  command  it — 

"  Boy,  I  am  that  scout ;  a  warrior  once,  a  misera 
ble  trapper  now !"  when  the  tears  broke,  over  his 
wasted  cheeks,  out  of  fountains  that  had  long  been 
dried,  and,  sinking  his  face  between  his  knees,  he 
covered  it  decently  with  his  buckskin  garment,  and 
sobbed  aloud. 

The  spectacle  produced  correspondent  emotions 
in  his  companions.  Paul  Hover  had  actually  swal 
lowed  each  syllable  of  the  discourse  as  they  fell  al 
ternately  from  the  different  speakers,  his  feelings 
keeping  equal  pace  with  the  increasing  interest  of 
the  scene.  Unused  to  such  strange  sensations,  he 
was  turning  his  face  on  every  side  of  him,  to  avoid 
he  knew  not  what,  until  he  saw  the  tears  and  heard 
the  sobs  of  the  old  man,  when  he  sprang  to  his  feet> 
and  grappling  his  guest  fiercely  by  the  throat,  he  de 
manded  by  what  authority  he  had  made  his  aged 
companion  weep.  A  flash  of  recollection  crossing 
his  brain  at  the  same  instant,  he  released  his  hold, 
and  stretching  forth  an  arm  in  the  very  wantonness 
of  his  gratification,  he  seized  the  Doctor  by  the  hair, 
which  instantly  revealed  its  artificial  formation,  by 
cleaving  to  his  hand,  leaving  the  white  and  shining 
poll  of  the  naturalist  with  a  covering  no  warmer  than 
the  skin. 

"  What  think  you  of  that,  Mr.  Bug-gatherer !"  he 
rather  shouted  than  cried  ;  "  is  not  this  a  strange  bee 
to  line  into  his  hole !" 

"  'Tis  remarkable  !  wonderful !  edifying !"  return- 


THE    PRAIRIE.  159 

ed  the  lover  of  nature,  good-humouredly  recovering 
his  wig,  with  twinkling  eyes  and  a  husky  voice. 
u  'Tis  rare  and  commendable !  Though  1  doubt  not 
in  the  exact  order  of  causes  and  effects." 

With  this  sudden  outbreaking,  however,  the  com 
motion  instantly  subsided  ;  the  three  spectators  clus 
tering  around  the  trapper  with  a  species  of  awe,  at 
beholding  the  tears  of  one  so  aged. 

"  It  must  be  so,  or  how  could  he  be  so  familiar 
with  a  history  that  is  little  known  beyond  my  own 
family ;"  at  length  tbe  youth  observed,  not  ashamed 
to  acknowledge  how  much  he  had  been  affected,  by 
unequivocally  drying  his  own  eyes. 

"  True  !"  echoed  Paul ;  "  if  you  want  any  more 
evidence  I  will  swear  to  it !  I  know  every  word  of 
it  myself  to  be  true  as  the  gospel !" 

"  And  yet  we  had  long  supposed  him  dead  !"  con 
tinued  the  soldier.  "  My  grandfather  had  filled  his 
days  with  honour,  and  he  had  believed  him  the  ju 
nior  of  the  two." 

"  It  is  not  often  that  youth  has  an  opportunity  of 
thus  looking  down  on  the  weakness  of  age !"  the 
trapper  observed,  raising  his  head,  and  looking  around 
him  with  composure  and  dignity.  "  That  I  am  still 
here,  young  man,  is  the  pleasure  of  the  Lord,  who 
has  spared  me  until  I  have  seen  fourscore  long  and 
laborious  years,  for  his  own  secret  ends.  That  I  am 
the  man  I  say,  you  need  not  doubt ;  for  why  should 
I  go  to  my  grave  with  so  cheap  a  lie  in  my  mouth  ?" 

u  I  do  not  hesitate  to  believe  ;  I  only  marvel  that 
it  should  be  so  !  But  why  do  I  find  you,  venerable 
and  excellent  friend  of  my  parents,  in  these  wastes, 
so  far  from  the  comforts  and  safety  of  the  lower 
country  ?" 

"  I  have  come  into  these  plains  to  escape  thel 
sound  of  the  axe ;  for  here  surely  the  chopper  can  I 
never  follow  !  But  I  may  put  the  like  question  to  I 
yourself.  Are  you  of  the  party  which  the  States  * 


/.I 


160  THE   PRAIRIE. 

s  have  sent  into  their  new  purchase,  to  look  after  the 
natur'  of  the  bargain  they  have  made  ?" 

"  I  am  not.  Lewis  is  making  his  way  up  the  river, 
some  hundreds  of  miles  from  this.  I  come  on  a  pri 
vate  adventure." 

"  Though  it  is  no  cause  of  wonder,  that  a  man 
whose  strength  and  eyes  have  failed  him  as  a  hunter, 
should  be  seen  nigh  the  haunts  of  the  beaver,  using 
a  trap  instead  of  a  rifle,  it  is  strange  that  one  so 
young  and  prosperous,  and  bearing  the  commission 
of  the  Great  Father,  should  be  moving  among  the 
prairies,  without  even  a  camp-colourman  to  do  his 
biddings!" 

"  You  would  think  my  reasons  sufficient  did  you 
know  them,  as  know  them  you  shall  if  you  are  dis 
posed  to  listen  to  my  story.  I  think  you  all  honest, 
and  men  who  would  rather  aid  than  betray  one  bent 
on  a  worthy  object." 

"  Come,  then,  and  tell  us  at  your  leisure,"  said  the 
trapper,  seating  himself,  and  beckoning  to  the  youth 
to  follow  his  example.  The  latter  willingly  compli 
ed,  and  after  Paul  and  the  Doctor  had  disposed  of 
themselves  to  their  several  likings,  the  new  comer 
entered  into  a  narrative  of  the  singular  reasons  which 
had  led  him  so  far  into  the  deserts. 


CHAPTER  XL 

"  So  foul  a  sky  clears  not  without  a  storm." 

King  John. 

IN  the  mean  time  the  industrious  and  irreclaima 
ble  hours  continued  their  labours.  The  sun,  which 
had  been  struggling  through  such  masses  of  vapour 
throughout  the  day,  fell  slowly  into  a  streak  of  clear 
sky,  and  thence  sunk  gloriously  into  the  gloomy 


THE    PRAIRIE.  161 

wastes,  as  he  is  wont  to  settle  into  the  waters  of  the 
ocean.  The  vast  herds  which  had  been  grazing 
among  the  wild  pastures  of  the  prairies,  gradually 
disappeared,  and  the  endless  flocks  of  aquatic  birds, 
that  were  pursuing  their  customary  annual  journey 
from  the  virgin  lakes  of  the  north  towards  the  gulf 
of  Mexico,  ceased  to  fan  that  air,  which  had  now  be 
come  loaded  with  dew  and  vapour.  In  short,  the 
shadows  of  night  fell  upon  the  rock,  adding  the  man 
tle  of  darkness  to  the  other  dreary  accompaniments 
of  the  place. 

As  the  light  began  to  fail,  Esther  collected  her 
younger  children  at  her  side,  and  placing  herself  on 
a  projecting  point  of  her  insulated  fortress,  she  sat 
patiently  awaiting  the  return  of  the  hunters.  Ellen 
Wade  was  at  no  great  distance,  seeming  to  keep  a 
little  aloof  from  the  anxious  circle,  as  if  willing  to 
mark  the  distinction  which  existed  in  their  charac 
ters. 

"  Your  uncle  is,  and  always  will  be  a  dull  calcula 
tor,  Nell,"  observed  the  mother,  after  a  long  pause 
in  a  conversation  that  had  turned  on  the  labours  of 
the  day ;  "  a  lazy  hand  at  figures  and  foreknowledge 
is  that  said  Ishmael  Bush !  Here  he  sat  lolloping 
about  the  rock  from  light  till  noon,  doing  nothing 
but  scheme — scheme — scheme — with  seven  as  noble 
boys  at  his  elbows  as  woman  ever  gave  to  man  ;  and 
what's  the  upshot  1  why,  night  is  setting  in,  and  his 
needful  work  not  yet  ended." 

"  It  is  not  prudent,  certainly,  aunt,"  Ellen  replied, 
with  a  vacancy  in  her  air,  that  proved  how  little  she 
knew  what  she  was  saying ;  "  and  it  is  setting  a  very 
bad  example  to  his  sons." 

"  Hoity,  toity,  girl !  who  has  reared  you  up  as  a 
judge  over  your  elders,  ay,  and  your  betters,  too ! 
I  should  like  to  see  the  man  on  the  whole  frontier 
who  sets  a  more  honest  example  to  his  children  than 
this  same  Ishmael  Bush  !  Show  me,  if  you  can,  Miss 
O  2 


162  THE    PRAIRIE 

Fault-finder,  but  not  fault-mender,  a  set  of  boys 
who  will,  on  occasion,  sooner  chop  a  piece  of  log 
ging  and  dress  it  for  the  crop,  than  my  own  children ; 
though  I  say  it  myself,  who,  perhaps,  should  be  si 
lent  ;  or  a  cradler  that  knows  better  how  to  lead  a 
gang  of  hands  through  a  field  of  wheat,  leaving  a 

/cleaner  stubble  in  his  track,  than  my  own  good  man  ! 
4  Then,  as  a  father,  he  is  as  generous  as  a  lord ;  for 
I  his  sons  have  only  to  name  the  spot  where  they 
V  I  would  like  to  pitch,  and  he  gives  'em  a  deed  of  the 
plantation,  and  no  charge  for  papers  is  ever  made  !" 

As  the  wife  of  the  squatter  concluded,  she  raised 
a  hollow,  taunting  laugh,  that  was  echoed  from  the 
mouths  of  several  juvenile  imitators,  whom  she  was 
training  to  a  life  as  shiftless  and  lawless  as  her  own ; 
but  which,  notwithstanding  its  uncertainty  was  not 
without  its  secret  charms. 

"  Holloa  !  old  Eester ;"  shouted  the  well-known 
voice  of  her  husband,  from  the  plain  beneath ;  "  'ar 
you  keeping  your  junketts,  while  we  are  finding  you 
in  venison  and  bufFaloe  beef!  Come  down — come 
down,  old  girl,  with  all  your  young ;  and  lend  us  a 
hand  to  carry  up  the  meat — why,  what  a  frolic  you 
ar'  in,  woman  !  Come  down,  come  down,  for  the 
boys  are  at  hand,  and  we  have  work  here  for  double 
your  number." 

Ishmael  might  have  spared  his  lungs  more  than  a 
moiety  of  the  effort  they  were  compelled  to  make  in 
order  that  he  should  be  heard.  He  had  hardly  utter 
ed  the  name  of  his  wife,  before  the  whole  of  the 
crouching  circle  rose  in  a  body,  and  tumbling  over 
each  other,  they  precipitated  themselves  down  the 
dangerous  passes  of  the  rock  with  ungovernable  im 
patience.  Esther  followed  the  young  fry  with  a  more 
measured  gait ;  nor  did  Ellen  deem  it  wise,  or  rather 
discreet,  to  remain  behind.  Consequently  the  whole 
were  soon  assembled  at  the  base  of  their  citadel,  on 
the  open  plain. 


THE    PRAIRIE.  163 

Here  the  squatter  was  found,  staggering  under  the 
weight  of  a  fine  fat  buck,  attended  by  one  or  two  of 
his  younger  sons.  Abiram  quickly  appeared,  and 
before  many  minutes  had  elapsed  most  of  the  hunt 
ers  dropped  in,  singly  and  in  pairs,  each  man  bring 
ing  with  him  some  fruits  of  his  prowess  in  the  field. 

"  The  plain  is  free  from  red-skins,  to-night  at 
least,"  said  Ishmael,  after  the  bustle  of  reception  had 
a  little  subsided ;  "  for  I  have  scoured  the  prairie  for 
many  long  miles,  on  my  own  feet,  and  I  call  myself 
a  judge  of  the  print  of  an  Indian  moccasin.  So,  old 
woman,  you  can  give  us  a  few  steaks  of  the  venison, 
and  then  we  will  sleep  on  the  day's  work." 

"  I'll  not  swear  there  are  no  savages  near  us,"  said 
Abiram.  "  I  too,  know  something  of  the  trail  of  a 
red-skin,  and  unless  my  eyes  have  lost  some  of  their 
sight,  I  would  swear,  boldly,  that  there  ar'  Indians  at 
hand.  But  wait  till  Asa  comes  in.  He  pass'd  the 
spot  where  I  found  the  marks,  and  the  boy  knows 
something  of  such  matters  too." 

"  Ay,  the  boy  knows  too  much  of  many  things," 
returned  Ishmael,  gloomily.  "  It  will  be  better  for 
him  when  he  thinks  he  knows  less.  But  what  mat 
ters  it,  Hetty,  if  all  the  Sioux  tribes,  west  of  the  big 
river,  are  within  a  mile  of  us ;  they  will  find  it  no 
easy  matter  to  scale  this  rock,  in  the  teeth  of  ten 
bold  men." 

"Call  'em  twelve,  at  once,  Ishmael;  call'em 
twelve !"  cried  his  termagant  assistant.  "  For  if 
your  moth-gathering,  bug-hunting  friend,  can  be 
counted  a  man,  I  beg  you  will  set  me  down  as  two. 
I  will  not  turn  my  back  to  him,  with  the  rifle  or  the 
shot-gun,  and  for  courage  ! — the  yearling  heifer,  that 
them  skulking  devils  the  Tetons  stole,  was  the  big 
gest  coward  among  us  all ;  and  after  her  came  your 
drivelling  Doc  or.  Ah  !  Ishmael,  you  rarely  attempt 
a  regular  trade  but  you  come  out  the  loser ;  and  this 
man,  I  reckon,  is  the  hardest  bargain  among  them 


164  THE    PRAIRIE. 

all !  Would  you  tnink  it,  the  fellow  ordered  me  s 
blister  around  my  mouth,  because  I  complained  of  a 
pain  in  the  foot !" 

"•  Jt  is  a  pity,  Eester,"  her  husband  coolly  answer 
ed,  "  that  you  did  not  take  it ;  I  reckon  it  would 
have  done  you  considerable  good  But,  boy?,  if  it 
should  turn  out  as  Abiram  thinks,  that  there  are  In 
dians  near  us,  we  may  have  to  scamper  up  the  rock, 
and  lose  our  suppers  after  all.  Therefore  we  will 
make  sure  of  the  game,  and  talk  over  the  perform 
ances  of  the  Doctor  when  we  have  nothing  better 
to  do." 

The  hint  was  taken,  and  in  a  few  minutes,  the  ex 
posed  situation  in  which  the  family  was  collected, 
was  exchanged  for  the  more  secure  elevation  of  the 
rock.  Here  Esther  busied  herself,  working  and 
scolding,  with  equal  industry,  until  the  repast  was 
prepared,  when  she  summoned  her  husband  to  his 
meal  in  a  voice  as  sonorous  as  that  with  which  the 
Imaun  reminds  the  Faithful  of  a  more  important 
duty. 

When  each  had  assumed  his  proper  and  customa 
ry  place  around  the  smoking  viands,  the  squatter  set 
the  example  by  beginning  to  partake  of  a  delicious 
venison  steak,  prepared  like  the  hump  of  the  bison, 
with  a  skill  that  rather  increased  than  concealed  its 
natural  properties.  A  painter  would  gladly  have 
seized  the  moment,  to  transfer  the  wild  and  charac 
teristic  scene  to  the  canvass. 

The  reader  will  remember  that  the  citadel  of  Ish- 
mael  stood  insulated,  lofty,  ragged,  and  nearly  inac 
cessible.  A  bright  flashing  fire  that  was  burning  on 
the  centre  of  its  summit,  and  around  which  the  busy 
groupe  was  clustered,  lent  it  the  appearance  of  some 
tall  Pharos  placed  in  the  centre  of  the  deserts,  to 
light  such  adventurers  as  wandered  through  their 
broad  wastes.  The  flashing  flame  gleamed  from  one 
sun-burnt  countenance  to  another,  exhibiting  every 


THE    PRAIRIE.  165 

variety  of  expression,  from  the  juvenile  simplicity 
of  the  children,  mingled  as  it  was  with  a  shade  of 
the  wildness  peculiar  to  their  semi-barbarous  lives, 
to  the  dull  and  immovable  apathy  that  dwelt  on  the 
features  of  the  squatter,  when  unexcited.  Occasion 
ally  a  gust  of  wind  would  fan  the  embers,  and,  as  a 
brighter  light  shot  upwards,  the  little  solitary  tent 
was  seen  as  it  were  suspended  in  the  gloom  of  the 
upper  air.  All  beyond  was  enveloped,  as  usual  at 
that  hour,  in  an  impenetrable  body  of  darkness. 

"  It  is  unaccountable  that  Asa  should  choose  to  be 
out  of  the  way  at  such  a  time  as  this,"  Esther  pet 
tishly  observed.  "  When  all  is  finished  and  to-rights, 
we  shall  have  the  boy  coming  up,  grumbling  for  his 
meal,  and  hungry  as  a  bear  after  his  winter's  nap. 
His  stomach  is  as  true  as  the  best  clock  in  Kentucky, 
and  seldom  wants  winding  up  to  tell  the  time,  wheth 
er  of  day  or  night.  A  desperate  eater  is  Asa,  when 
a-hungered,  by  a  little  work  !" 

Ishmael  looked  sternly  around  the  circle  of  his 
silent  sons,  as  if  to  see  whether  any  among  them 
would  presume  to  say  aught  in  favour  of  the  absent 
delinquent.  But  now,  when  no  exciting  causes  ex 
isted  to  arouse  their  slumbering  tempers,  it  seemed 
to  be  too  great  an  effort  to  enter  on  the  defence  of 
their  rebellious  brother.  Abiram,  however,  who 
since  the  pacification,  either  felt,  or  affected  to  feel, 
a  more  generous  interest  in  his  late  adversary,  saw  fit 
to  express  an  anxiety,  to  which  the  others  were 
strangers — 

"  It  will  be  well  if  the  boy  has  escaped  the  Te- 
tons  !"  he  muttered.     "  I  should  be  sorry  to  hav 
Asa,  who  is  one  of  the  stoutest  of  our  party,  bo 
in  heart  and  hand,  fall  into  the  power  of  the  red 
devils." 

"  Look  to  yourself,  Abriam ;  and  spare  your 
breath,  if  you  can  use  it  only  to  frighten  the  woman 
and  her  huddling  girls.  You  have  whitened  the  face 


166  THE  PRAIRIE. 

of  Ellen  Wade,  already ;  who  looks  as  pale  as  if  she 
was  staring  to-day  at  the  very  Indians  you  name, 
when  I  was  forced  to  speak  to  her  through  the  rifle, 
because  I  couldn't  reach  her  ears  with  my  tongue. 
How  was  it,  Nell !  you  have  never  given  the  reason 
of  your  deafness  ?" 

The  colour  of  Ellen's  cheek  changed  as  suddenly 
as  the  squatter's  piece  had  flashed  on  the  occasion  to 
which  he  alluded,  the  burning  glow  suffusing  her 
features,  until  it  even  mantled  her  throat  with  its  fine 
healthful  tinge.  She  hung  her  head  abashed,  but  did 
not  seem  to  think  it  necessary  to  reply. 

Ishmael,  too  sluggish  to  pursue  the  subject,  or  con 
tent  with  the  pointed  allusion  he  had  just  made,  rose 
from  his  seat  on  the  rock,  and  stretching  his  heavy 
frame,  like  a  well-fed  and  fattened  ox,  he  announced 
his  intention  to  sleep.  Among  a  race  who  lived  chief 
ly  for  the  indulgence  of  the  natural  wants,  such  a  de 
claration  could  not  fail  of  meeting  with  sympathetic 
dispositions.  One  after  another  disappeared,  each 
seeking  his  or  her  rude  dormitory,  and,  before  many 
minutes,  Esther,  who  by  this  time  had  scolded  the 
younger  fry  to  sleep,  found  herself,  if  we  except  the 
usual  watchman  below,  in  solitary  possession  of  the 
naked  rock. 

Whatever  less  valuable  fruits  had  been  produced, 
in  this  uneducated  woman  by  her  migratory  habits, 
the  great  principle  of  female  nature  was  too  deeply 
rooted  ever  to  be  entirely  eradicated.  Of  a  power 
ful,  not  to  say  fierce  temperament,  her  passions  were 
violent  and  difficult  to  be  smothered.  But,  however 
she  might  and  did  abuse  the  accidental  prerogatives 
of  her  situation,  her  love  for  her  offspring,  while  it 
often  slumbered,  could  never  be  said  to  become  ex 
tinct.  She  liked  not  the  protracted  absence  of  Asa. 
Too  fearless  herself  to  have  hesitated  an  instant  on 
her  own  account  about  crossing  the  dark  abyss,  into 
which  she  now  sat  looking  with  longing  eyes,  her 


THE    PRAIRIE.  167 

busy  imagination,  in  obedience  to  this  inextinguisha 
ble  sentiment,  began  to  conjure  nameless  evils  on 
account  of  her  son.  It  might  be  true,  as  Abiram  had 
hinted,  that  he  had  become  a  captive  to  some  of  the 
tribes  who  were  hunting  the  buffaloe  in  that  vicinity, 
or  even  a  still  more  dreadful  calamity  might  have 
befallen.  So  thought  the  mother,  while  silence  and 
darkness  lent  their  aid  to  the  secret  impulses  of  na 
ture. 

Agitated  by  these  reflections,  which  put  sleep  at 
defiance,  Esther  continued  at  her  post,  listening  with 
that  sort  of  acuteness  which  is  termed  instinct,  in  the 
animals  a  few  degrees  below  her  in  the  scale  of  intel 
ligence,  for  any  of  those  noises  which  might  indicate 
the  approach  of  footsteps.  At  length,  her  wishes  had 
an  appearance  of  being  realized,  for  the  long  desired 
sounds  were  distinctly  audible,  and  presently  she 
distinguished  the  dim  form  of  a  man,  at  the  base  of 
the  rock. 

"  Now,  Asa,  richly  do  you  deserve  to  be  left  with 
an  earthen  bed  this  blessed  night !"  the  woman  be 
gan  to  mutter,  with  a  revolution  in  her  feelings,  that 
will  not  be  surprising  to  those  who  have  made  the 
contradictions  that  give  variety  to  the  human  charac 
ter  a  study.  "  And  a  hard  one  I've  a  mind  it  shall 
be  !  Why  Abner ;  Abner ;  you  Abner,  do  you  sleep  ? 
Let  me  not  see  you  dare  to  open  the  hole,  till  I  get 
down.  I  will  know  who  it  is  that  wishes  to  disturb 
a  peaceable,  ay,  and  an  honest  family  too,  at  such 
a  time  in  the  night  as  this  !" 

"  Woman  !"  exclaimed  a  voice,  that  intended  to 
bluster,  while  the  speaker  was  manifestly  a  little  ap 
prehensive  of  the  consequences  ;  "  Woman,  I  forbid 
you  on  pain  of  the  law  to  project  any  of  your  infer 
nal  missiles.  I  am  a  citizen  and  a  freeholder,  and,  a 
graduate  of  two  universities  ;  and  1  stand  upon  my 
rights !  Beware  of  malice  prepense,  of  chance  med- 


168  THE    PRAIRIE. 

ley  and  of  manslaughter.  It  is  1 — your  amicus  ;  a 
friend  and  inmate.  I — Dr.  Obed  Battius." 

"  Who  !"  demanded  Esther,  in  a  voice  that  nearly 
refused  to  convey  her  words  to  the  ears  of  the  anx 
ious  listener  beneath.  "  Did  you  say  it  was  not  Asa  ?  ' 

"  Nay,  I  am  neither  Asa,  nor  Absalom,  nor  any  of 
the  Hebrew  princes ;  but  Obed,  the  root  and  stock 
of  them  all.  Have  I  not  said,  woman,  that  you  keep 
one  in  attendance  who  is  entitled  to  a  peaceable  as 
well  as  an  honourable  admission.  Do  you  take  me 
for  an  animal  of  the  class  amphibia,  and  that  I  can 
play  with  my  lungs  as  a  blacksmith  does  with  his 
bellows !" 

The  naturalist  might  have  expended  his  breath 
much  longer,  without  producing  any  desirable  result, 
had  Esther  been  his  only  auditor.  Disappointed  and 
alarmed,  the  woman  had  already  sought  her  pallet, 
and  was  preparing,  with  a  sort  of  desperate  indiffer 
ence,  to  compose  herself  to  sleep.  Abner,  the  senti 
nel  below,  however,  had  been  aroused  from  an  ex 
ceedingly  equivocal  situation,  by  the  outcry  ;  and  as 
he  had  now  regained  sufficient  consciousness  to  re 
cognize  the  voice  of  the  physician,  the  latter  was  ad 
mitted,  with  the  least  possible  delay.  Dr.  Battius 
bustled  through  the  narrow  entrance,  with  an  air  of 
singular  impatience,  and  was  already  beginning  to 
mount  the  difficult  ascent,  when  catching  a  view  of 
the  porter,  he  paused,  to  observe  with  an  air  that  he 
intended  should  be  impressively  admonitory — 

"  Abner,  there  are  dangerous  symptoms  of  somno 
lency  about  thee  !  It  is  sufficiently  exhibited  in  the 
tendency  to  hiation,  and  may  prove  dangerous  not 
only  to  yourself,  but  to  all  thy  father's  family  !" 

"  You  never  made  a  greater  mistake,  Doctor,"  re 
turned  the  youth,  gaping  like  an  indolent  lion,  "  I 
haven't  a  symptom,  as  you  call  it,  about  any  part  of 
me ;  and  as  to  father  and  the  children,  I  reckon  the 


THE    PRAIRIE. 

small-pox  and  the  measles  have   beeu   thoroughly 
through  the  breed  these  many  months  ago." 

Content  with  his  brief  admonition,  the  naturalist 
had  surmounted  half  the  difficulties  of  the  ascent 
before  the  deliberate  Abner  had  ended  his  justifica 
tion.  On  the  summit,  Obed  fully  expected  to  en 
counter  Esther,  of  whose  linguacious  powers,  he  had 
too  often  been  furnished  with  the  most  sinister  proofs, 
and  of  which  he  stood  in  an  awe  too  salutary  to 
covet  a  repetition  of  her  attacks.  The  reader  can 
foresee  that  he  was  to  be  agreeably  disappointed. 
Treading  lightly,  and  looking  timidly  over  his  shoul 
der,  as  if  he  apprehended  a  shower  of  something, 
even  more  formidable  than  words,  the  Doctor  pro 
ceeded  to  the  place  which  had  been  allotted  to  him 
self  in  the  general  disposition  of  the  dormitories. 

Instead  of  sleeping,  the  worthy  naturalist  sat  ru 
minating  over  what  he  had  both  seen  and  heard  that 
day,  until  the  tossing  and  mutterings  which  proceed 
ed  from  the  cabin  of  Esther,  who  was  his  nearest 
neighbour,  advertised  him  of  the  wakeful  situation 
of  its  inmate.  Perceiving  the  necessity  of  doing 
something  to  disarm  this  female  Cerberus,  before  his 
own  purpose  could  be  accomplished,  the  Doctor, 
reluctant  as  he  was  to  encounter  her  tongue,  found 
himself  compelled  to  invite  a  colloquial  communica 
tion. 

"  You  appear  not  to  sleep,  my  very  kind  and  wor 
thy  Mrs.  Bush,"  he  said,  determined  to  commence 
his  applications  with  a  plaster  that  was  usually  found 
to  adhere  ;  "  you  appear  to  rest  badly,  my  excellent 
hostess  ;  can  I  administer  to  your  ailings  ?" 

"  What  would  you  give  me,  man,"  grumbled  Est 
her.  "  A  blister  to  make  me  sleep  ?" 

"  Say  rather  a  cataplasm.     But  if  you  are  in  pain, 
here  are  some  cordial  drops,  which  taken  in  a  glass 
of  my  own  cogniac  will  give  you  rest,  if  I  know 
aught  of  the  materia  medica." 
P 


170  THE    PRAIRIE. 

The  Doctor,  as  he  very  well  knew,  had  assailed 
Esther  on  her  weak  side :  and,  as  he  doubted  not  of 
the  acceptability  of  his  prescription,  he  sat  himself 
at  work,  without  unnecessary  delay,  to  prepare  it 
\Vhen  he  made  his  offering,  it  was  received  in  a 
snappish  and  threatening  manner,  but  swallowed 
with  a  facility  that  sufficiently  proclaimed  how  much 
it  was  relished  by  the  patient  The  woman  mutter 
ed  her  thanks,  and  her  leech  reseated  himself  in  si 
lence,  to  await  the  operation  of  the  dose.  In  less 
than  half  an  hour  the  breathing  of  Esther  became  so 
profound,  and  as  the  Doctor  himself  might  have 
termed  it,  so  very  abstracted,  that  had  he  not  known 
how  easy  it  was  to  ascribe  this  new  instance  of  som 
nolency  to  the  powerful  dose  of  opium  with  which 
he  had  garnished  the  brandy,  he  might  have  seen 
reason  to  distrust  his  own  prescription.  With  the 
sleep  of  the  restless  woman,  the  stillness  became 
profound  and  general. 

Then  it  was  that  Dr.  Battius  saw  fit  to  arise,  with 
the  silence  and  caution  of  the  midnight  robber,  and 
to  steal  out  of  his  own  cabin,  or  rather  kennel,  for  it 
deserved  no  better  name,  towards  the  adjoining  dor 
mitories.  Here  he  took  time  to  assure  himself  that 
ah1  his  neighbours  were  buried  in  deep  sleep.  Once 
advised  of  this  important  fact  he  hesitated  no  long 
er,  but  commenced  the  difficult  ascent  which  led  to 
the  upper  pinnacle  of  the  rock.  His  advance,  though 
abundantly  guarded,  was  not  entirely  noiseless :  but 
while  he  was  felicitating  himself  on  having  success 
fully  effected  his  obiect.  and  he  was  in  the  verv  act 
of  placing  his  foot  on  the  highest  ledge,  a  hand  was 
laid  upon  the  skirts  of  his  coat,  which  as  effectually 
put  an  end  to  his  advance,  as  though  the  gigantic 
strength  of  Ishmael  himself  had  pinned  him  to  the 
earth. 

"  Is  there  sickness  in  the  tent,''  whispered  a  soft 


THS    F&JLHIS.  171 

race  in  bis  TOT  ear.  -that  Dr.  Battras  is  called  to 

So  soon  as  the  heart  of  the  natDn&t  lad  letaraed 
from  its  hasty  expedition  into  IBS  throat,  as  one  less 


mal  would  hare  been  apt  to  hare  accounted  for  the 


imlo<*BMbriBft^^ 

plj;  using,  as  much  in  terror  as  in  prudence,  the 

same  precaution  in  the  indulgence  of  ha  Tokc. 

-  My  worthy  Nelly  !  I  am  greatly  rejoiced  to  find 
it  is  DO  other  than  thee.1  ffist!  child,  "hist!  Sbould 
Ishmael  gain  a  knowledge  of  our  plans,  he  would 
not  hesitate  to  cast  m  both  from  off  this  rock,  upon 
the  plain  beneath.  Hist!  Nelly,  bet P1 

As  the  Doctor  delivered  his*  injunctions  between 
the  mterrab  of  his  ascent,  by  the  time  they  were 

upper  leveL 

-And  DOW,  Dr.  Battius,"  the  girl  grarery demand 
ed,  -may  I  know  the  reason  why  you  hav«  run  so 
treat  a  risk  of  flving  from  this  place,  without  wings, 
and  at  the  certain  expense  of  jour  neck?" 

>:hineshaU  be  concealed  from  t^ 
Hi  trasty  Nelly— but  are  you  certain  that"  Ishmael 
will  not  awake  f" 

"No  fear  of  him;  he  will  sleep  until  the  son 
scorches  his  eye-fids,  The  damper  is  from  my 

"Esther  sleepeth!"  the  Doctor  sententious^  re- 
plied.  «  Ellen,  you  have  been  watching  on  this  rock 
to-dav  f 

•*  I  was  ordered  to  do  so." 

"And  you  have  seen  the  bison,  and  the  antelope, 
and  the  wolf,  and  the  deer,  as  usual :  «imn«l«  of  the 
•rrferv,  pecora,  belraae  and  feae." 

M  I  have  seen  the  creatures  vou  named  n  Eirfsh  • 
but  I  know  nodung  of  the  Indnn  ]u»Kes." 


172  THE    PRAIRIE. 

"  There  is  still  an  order  that  I  h&.ve  not  named, 
which  you  have  also  seen.  The  primates — is  it  not 
true  ?" 

"  J  cannot  say.     I  know  no  animal  by  that  name." 

"  Nay,  Ellen,  you  confer  with  a  friend.  Of  the 
genus,  homo,  child  ?" 

"  Whatever  else  I  may  have  had  in  view,  I  have 
not  seen  the  vespertilio  horribi — " 

"  Hush,  Nelly,  thy  vivacity  will  betray  us  !  Tell 
me,  girl,  have  you  not  seen  certain  bipeds,  called 
men,  wandering  about  the  prairies  ?" 

"  Surely.  My  uncle  and  his  sons  have  been  hunt 
ing  the  buffaloe,  since  the  sun  began  to  fall." 

"  I  must  speak  in  the  vernacular,  to  be  compre 
hended  !  Ellen,  I  would  say  of  the  species,  Kentucky." 

Though  Ellen  reddened  like  the  rose,  her  blushes 
were  happily  concealed  by  the  darkness.  She  hesi 
tated  an  instant,  and  then  summoned  sufficient  spirit, 
to  say,  decidedly — 

"  If  you  wish  to  speak  in  parables,  Doctor  Bat- 
tius,  you  must  find  another  listener.  Put  your  ques 
tions  plainly  in  English,  and  I  will  answer  them  hon 
estly  in  the  same  tongue." 

"  1  have  been  journeying  in  this  desert,  as  thou 
knowest,  Nelly,  in  quest  of  animals  that  have  been 
hidden  from  the  eyes  of  science,  until  now.  Among 
others,  I  have  discovered  a  primates,  of  the  genus^ 
homo  ;  species,  Kentucky ;  which  I  term,  Paul — " 

"  Hist,  for  the  sake  of  mercy !"  said  Ellen — 
"speak  lower,  Doctor;  or  we  shall  be  heard." 

"  Hover;  by  profession  a  collector  of  the  apes  or 
bee,"  continued  the  other.  "Do  I  use  the  vernacular 
now, — am  I  understood  ?" 

"  Perfectly,  perfectly,"  returned  the  agitated  girl, 
breathing  with  difficulty,  in  her  surprise.  "But 
what  of  him  ?  did  he  tell  you  to  mount  this  rock — he 
knows  nothing,  himself;  for  the  oath  I  gave  my  un 
cle,  has  shut  my  mouth." 


THE    PRAIRIE.  173 

ic  Ay,  but  there  is  one,  that  has  taken  no  oath, 
who  has  revealed  all.  I  would  that  the  mantle  which 
is  wrapped  around  the  mysteries  of  nature,  were  as 
effectually  withdrawn  from  its  hidden  treasures ! 
Ellen !  Ellen  !  the  man  with  whom  I  have  unwitting 
ly  formed  a  compactum  or  agreement  is  sadly  forget 
ful  of  the  obligations  of  honesty  !  Thy  uncle,  child." 

"  You  mean  Jshmael  Bush,  my  father's  brother's 
widow's  husband,"  returned  the  offended  girl,  a  little 
proudly. — "Indeed,  indeed,  it  is  cruel  to  reproach 
me  with  a  tie  that  chance  has  formed,  and  which  I 
would  rejoice  so  much  to  break  for  ever !" 

The  humbled  Ellen  could  utter  no  more,  but  sink 
ing  on  a  projection  of  the  rock,  she  began  to  sob  in 
a  manner  that  rendered  their  situation  doubly  criti 
cal.  The  Doctor  muttered  a  few  words,  which  he 
intended  as  an  apologetic  explanation,  but  before  he 
had  time  to  complete  his  laboured  vindication,  she 
arose  and  said  with  great  decision — 

"  I  did  not  come  here  to  pass  my  time  in  foolish 
tears,  nor  you  to  try  to  stop  them.  What  then  has 
brought  you  hither?" 

"  I  must  see  the  inmate  of  that  tent." 

"  You  know  what  it  contains  ?" 

"  I  am  taught  to  believe  I  do ;  and  I  bear  a  letter, 
which  I  must  deliver  with  my  own  hands.  If  the 
animal  prove  a  quadruped,  Ishmael  is  a  true  man — 
if  a  biped,  fledged  or  unfledged,  I  care  not,  he  is  false, 
and  our  compactum  at  an  end  !" 

Ellen  made  a  sign  for  the  Doctor  to  remain  where 
he  was,  and  to  be  silent.  She  then  glided  into  the 
tent,  where  she  continued  many  minutes,  that  proved 
exceedingly  weary  and  anxious  to  the  expectant 
without,  but  the  instant  she  returned,  she  took  him 
by  the  arm,  and  together  they  entered  beneath  the 
folds  of  the  mysterious  cloth. 

P  2 


174  THE    PRAIRIE. 


CHAPTER  XII. 

«Pray  Goa  the  Duke  of  York  excuse  himself!" 

King  Henry  VI. 

THE  mustering  of  the  borderers  on  the  following 
morning  was  silent,  sullen,  and  gloomy.  The  repast 
of  that  hour  was  wanting  in  the  inharmonious  ac 
companiment  with  which  Esther  ordinarily  enlivened 
their  meals ;  for  the  effects  of  the  powerful  opiate 
the  Doctor  had  administered,  still  muddled  her  usual 
ly  quick  intellects.  The  young  men  brooded  over 
the  absence  of  their  elder  brother,  and  the  brows 
of  Ishmael  himself  were  sternly  knit,  as  he  cast  his 
scowling  eyes  from  one  to  the  other,  like  a  man 
who  was  preparing  to  meet  and  to  repel  an  expected 
assault  on  his  authority.  In  the  midst  of  this  family 
distrust,  Ellen  and  her  midnight  confederate,  the  nat 
uralist,  took  their  usual  places  among  the  children, 
without  awakening  suspicion  or  exciting  comment. 
The  only  apparent  fruits  of  the  adventure  in  which 
they  had  been  engaged,  were  occasional  upliftings  of 
the  eyes,  on  the  part  of  the  Doctor,  which  were 
mistaken  by  the  observers  for  some  of  his  scientific 
contemplations  of  the  heavens,  but  which,  in  reality, 
were  no  other  than  furtive  glances  at  the  fluttering 
walls  of  the  proscribed  tent. 

At  length  the  squatter,  who  had  waited  in  vain  for 
some  more  decided  manifestation  of  the  expected 
rising  among  his  sons,  resolved  to  make  a  demonstra 
tion  of  his  own  intentions. 

"  Asa  shall  account  to  me  for  this  undutiful  con 
duct!"  he  coolly  observed.  "Here  has  the  live-long 
night  gone  by,  and  he  out-lying  on  the  prairie,  when 
his  hand  and  his  rifle  might  both  have  been  wanted 
in  a  brush  with  the  Siouxes,  for  any  right  he  had  to 
know  the  contrary." 


THE    PRAIRIE.  175 

u  Spare  your  breath,  good  man ,"  retorted  his 
wife,  44  be  saving  of  your  breath ;  for  you  may  have 
to  call  long  enough  for  the  boy  before  he  will  an 
swer!" 

44  It  ar'  a  fact,  that  some  men  be  so  womanish,  as 
to  let  the  young  master  the  old  !  But,  you,  old  Est 
her,  should  knew  better  than  to  think  such  will  ever 
be  the  nature  of  things  in  the  family  of  Ishmael 
Bush." 

44 Ah!  you  are  a  hectorer  with  the  boys,  when 
need  calls !  I  know  it  well,  Ishmael ;  and  one  of 
your  sons  have  you  driven  from  you,  by  your  tem 
per;  and  that,  too,  at  a  time  when  he  is  most 
wanted." 

44  Father,4"  said  Abner,  whose  sluggish  nature  had 
gradually  been  stimulating  itself  to  the  exertion  of 
taking  so  bold  a  stand,  44  the  boys  and  I  have  pretty 
generally  concluded  to  go  out  on  the  search  of  Asa. 
We  are  disagreeable  about  his  'camping  on  the  prai 
rie,  instead  of  coming  in  to  his  own  bed,  as  we  all 
know  he  would  like  to  do — " 

44  Pshaw !"  muttered  Abiram  ;  4t  the  boy  has  killed 
a  buck ;  or  perhaps  a  buffaloe ;  and  he  is  sleeping 
by  the  carcass  to  keep  off  the  wolves,  till  day ;  we 
shall  soon  see  him,  or  hear  him  bawling  for  help  to 
bring  in  his  load." 

44  'Tis  little  help  that  a  son  of  mine  will  call  for, 
to  shoulder  a  buck  or  to  quarter  your  wild-beef !" 
returned  the  mother.  44  And  you,  Abiram,  to  say 
such  an  uncertain  thing !  you,  who  said  yourself  that 
the  red-skins  had  been  prowling  around  this  place  no 
later  than  the  yesterday — " 

44 1 !"  exclaimed  her  brother,  hastily,  as  if  anxious 
to  retract  an  error ;  44 1  said  it  then,  and  I  say  it  now; 
and  so  you  will  find  it  to  be.  The  Tetons  are  in  our 
neighbourhood,  and  happy  will  it  prove  for  the  boy 
if  he  is  well  shut  of  them." 

"  It  seems  to  me,"  said  Dr.  Battius.  speaking  with 


176  THE    PRAIRIE. 

the  sort  of  deliberation  and  dignity  one  is  apt  to  use 
after  having  thoroughly  ripened  his  opinions  by  suffi 
cient  reflection,  "it  seems  to  me,  a  man  but  little  skill 
ed  in  the  signs  and  tokens  of  Indian  warfare,  especial 
ly  as  practised  in  these  remote  plains,  but  one,  who  1 
may  say  without  vanity  has  some  insight  into  the 
mysteries  of  nature — it  seems,  then,  to  me,  thus  hum 
bly  qualified,  that  when  doubts  exist  in  a  matter  of 
such  moment,  it  would  always  be  the  wisest  course 
to  appease  them." 

"No  more  of  your  doctoring  forme!"  cried  the 
grum  Esther ;  **  no  more  of  your  quiddities  in  a 
healthy  family,  say  I !  Here  was  I  doing  well,  only 
a  little  out  of  sorts  with  over  instructing  the  young, 
and  you  dos'd  me  with  a  drug  that  still  hangs  about 
my  tongue,  like  a  pound  weight  on  a  humming-bird's 
wing?" 

"  Is  the  medicine  out  ?n  drily  demanded  Ishmael : 
"  it  must  be  a  rare  doser  that,  if  it  gives  a  heavy  feel 
to  the  tongue  of  old  Eester  !w 

"  Friend,"  continued  the  Doctor,  waving  his  hand 
for  the  angry  wife  to  maintain  the  peace,  u  that  it 
cannot  perform  all  that  is  said  of  it,  the  very  charge 
cf  good  Mrs.  Bush  is  a  sufficient  proof.  But  to  speak 
of  the  absent  Asa.  There  is  doubt  as  to  his  fate, 
and  there  is  a  proposition  to  solve  it.  Now,  m  the 
natural  sciences  truth  is  always  a  desideratum ;  and 
I  confess  it  would  seem  to  be  equally  so  in  the  pres 
ent  case,  which  may  be  called  a  vacuum  where,  ac 
cording  to  the  laws  of  physic,  there  should  exist  some 
pretty  palpable  proofs  of  materiality." 

"  Dont  mind  him,  dont  mind  him,"  cried  Esther, 
observing  that  the  rest  of  his  auditors  listened  with 
an  attention,  which  might  proceed,  equally,  from  ac 
quiescence  in  his  proposal  or  ignorance  of  its  mean 
ing.  "  There  is  a  drug  in  every  word  he  utters." 

"  Dr.  Battius  wishes  to  say,"  Ellen  modestly  inter- 
posed,  "•  that  as  some  of  us  think  Asa  is  in  danger, 


THE    PRAIRIE.  177 

and  some  think  otherwise,  the  whole  family  might 
pass  an  hour  or  two  in  looking  for  him." 

"  Does  he  ?"  interrupted  the  woman,  "  then  Dr. 
Battius  has  more  sense  in  him  that  I  believed  !  She 
is  right,  Ishmael ;  and  what  she  says,  shall  be  done. 
I  will  shoulder  a  rifle  myself;  and  woe  betide  the 
red-skin  that  crosses  my  path  !  I  have  pulled  a  trig 
ger  before  to-day  ;  ay,  and  heard  an  Indian  yell,  too, 
to  my  sorrow." 

The  spirit  of  Esther  diffused  itself,  like  the  stimu 
lus  which  attends  a  victorious  war-cry,  among  her 
indolent  sons.  They  arose  in  a  body,  and  declared 
their  determination  to  second  so  bold  a  resolution. 
Ishmael  prudently  yielded  to  an  impulse  he  could 
not  resist,  and  in  a  few  minutes  the  woman  appeared, 
shouldering  her  arms,  prepared  to  lead  forth,  in  per 
son,  such  of  her  descendants  as  chose  to  follow  in 
her  train. 

"  Let  them  stay  with  the  children  that  please," 
she  said,  "  and  them  follow  me,  who  ar'  not  chicken- 
hearted .!" 

"  Abiram,  it  will  not  do  to  leave  the  huts  without 
some  guard,"  Ishmael  whispered,  glancing  his  eye 
upward. 

The  man  whom  he  addressed  started,  and  betray 
ed  extraordinary  eagerness  in  his  reply. 

"  I  will  tarry  and  watch  the  camp." 

A  dozen  voices  were  instantly  raised  in  objections 
to  this  proposal.  He  was  wanted  to  point  out  the 
places  where  the  hostile  tracks  had  been  seen,  and 
his  termagant  sister  openly  scouted  at  the  idea,  as 
unworthy  of  his  manhood.  The  reluctant  Abiram 
was  compelled  to  yield,  and  Ishmael  made  a  new  dis 
position  for  the  defence  of  the  place  ;  which  was  ad 
mitted,  by  every  one,  to  be  all-important  to  their 
security  and  comfort. 

He  offered  the  post  of  commandant  to  Dr.  Bat 
tius,  who,  however,  peremptorily  and  somewhat 


17i  THE    PRAIRIE. 

haughtily,  declined  the  doubtful  honour ;  exchanging 
looks  of  singular  intelligence  with  Ellen,  as  he  did 
so.  In  this  dilemma  the  squatter  was  obliged  to 
constitute  the  girl  herself  castellain ;  taking  care, 
however,  in  deputing  this  important  trust,  to  omit  no 
words  of  caution  and  instruction.  When  this  pre 
liminary  point  was  settled,  the  young  men  proceeded 
to  arrange  certain  means  of  defence,  and  signals  of 
alarm,  that  were  adapted  to  the  weakness  and  char 
acter  of  the  garrison.  Several  masses  of  rock  were 
drawn  to  the  edge  of  the  upper  level,  and  so  placed 
as  to  leave  it  at  the  discretion  of  the  feeble  Ellen 
and  her  associates,  to  cast  them  or  not,  as  they  might 
choose,  on  the  heads  of  any  invaders,  who  would,  of 
necessity,  be  obliged  to  mount  the  eminence  by  the 
difficult  and  narrow  passage  already  so  often  men 
tioned.  In  addition  to  this  formidable  obstruction, 
the  barriers  were  strengthened  and  rendered  nearly 
impassable.  Smaller  missiles,  that  might  be  hurled 
even  by  the  hands  of  the  younger  children,  but 
which  would  prove,  from  the  elevation  of  the  place, 
exceedingly  dangerous,  were  provided  in  profusion. 
A  pile  of  dried  leaves  and  splinters  were  placed,  as  a 
beacon,  on  the  upper  rock,  and  then,  even  in  the 
jealous  judgment  of  the  squatter,  the  post  was  deem 
ed  competent  to  maintain  a  creditable  siege. 

The  moment  the  rock  was  thought  to  be  in  a  state 
of  sufficient  security,  the  party  who  composed  what 
might  be  called  the  sortie,  sallied  forth  on  their  anx 
ious  expedition.  The  advance  was  led  by  Esther  in 
person,  who,  attired  in  a  dress  half  masculine,  and 
bearing  a  weapon  like  the  rest,  seemed  no  unfit  lead 
er  for  the  groupe  of  wildly  clad  frontier-men,  that 
followed  leisurely  in  her  rear. 

"  Now,  Abiram !"  cried  the  Amazon,  in  a  voice 
that  was  cracked  and  harsh,  for  the  simple  reason  of 
being  used  too  often  on  a  strained  and  unnatural  key, 
M  Now,  Abiram,  run  with  your  nose  low ;  show  your- 


THE    PRAIRIE.  179 

self  a  hound  of  the  true  breed,  and  do  some  credit 
to  your  training.  You  it  was  that  saw  the  prints  of 
the  Indian  moccasin,  and  it  behoves  you,  to  let  others 
be  as  wise  as  yourself.  Come ;  come  to  the  front, 
man  ;  arid  give  us  a  bold  lead." 

The  brother,  who  appeared  at  all  times  to  stand 
in  salutary  awe  of  his  sister's  authority,  complied ; 
though  it  was  with  a  reluctance  so  evident,  as  to  ex 
cite  sneers,  even  among  the  unobservant  and  indolent 
sons  of  the  squatter.  Ishmael,  himself,  moved  among 
his  tall  children  like  one  who  expected  nothing  from 
the  search,  and  who  was  indifferent  alike  to  its  suc 
cess  or  failure.  In  this  manner  the  party  proceeded 
until  their  distant  fortress  had  sunk  so  low,  as  to  pre 
sent  an  object  no  larger  nor  more  distinct  than  a 
hazy  point,  on  the  margin  of  the  prairie.  Hitherto 
their  progress  had  been  silent  and  somewhat  rapid, 
for  as  swell  after  swell  was  mounted  and  passed, 
without  varying,  or  discovering  a  living  object  to  en 
liven  the  monotony  of  the  view,  even  the  tongue  of 
Esther  was  hushed  in  increasing  anxiety.  Here, 
however,  Ishmael  chose  to  pause,  and  casting  the 
butt  of  his  rifle  from  his  shoulder  to  the  ground,  he 
observed — 

"  This  is  enough.  BufFaloe  signs,  and  deer  signs, 
ar'  plenty ;  but  where  ar'  the  Indian  footsteps  that 
you  have  seen,  Abiram  V 

"  Still  farther  to  the  west,"  returned  the  other, 
pointing  in  the  direction  he  named.  "  This  was  the 
spot,  where  I  struck  the  tracks  of  the  buck,  I  killed ; 
it  was  after  I  took  the  deer,  that  I  fell  upon  the 
Teton  trail." 

"  And  a  bloody  piece  of  work  you  made  of  it, 
man  ;"  cried  the  squatter,  pointing  tauntingly  to  the 
soiled  garments  of  his  kinsman,  and  then  directing 
the  attention  of  the  spectators  to  his  own,  by  the 
way  of  a  triumphant  contrast  "  Here  have  I  cut 
the  throat  of  two  ively  does,  and  a  scampering  fawn, 


180  THE    PRAIRIE. 

without  spot  or  stain  ;  while  you,  blundering  dog  as 
you  ar1,  you  have  made  as  much  work  for  Eester  and 
her  girls,  as  though  butchering  was  your  regular  call 
ing.  Come  boys  ;  I  say  it  is  enough.  I  am  too  old 
not  to  know  the  signs  of  the  frontiers,  and  no  Indian 
has  been  here,  since  the  last  fall  of  water.  Follow 
me  ;  and  I  will  make  a  turn  that  shall  give  us  at  least 
the  beef  of  a  fallow  cow  for  our  trouble." 

"Follow  me/"  echoed  Esther,  stepping  undaunt 
edly  forward.  "  1  am  leader  to-day,  and  I  will  be 
followed.  For  who  so  proper,  let  me  know,  as  a 
mother,  to  head  a  search  for  her  lost  child  ?" 

Ishmael  regarded  his  intractable  mate  with  a  smile 
of  indulgent  pity.  Observing  that  she  had  already 
struck  out  a  path  for  herself,  different  both  from  that 
of  Abiram  and  the  one  he  had  seen  fit  to  choose,  and 
being  unwilling  to  draw  the  cord  of  authority  too 
tight,  just  at  that  moment,  he  again  sullenly  submit 
ted  to  her  will.  But  Dr.  Battius,  who  had  hitherto 
been  a  silent  and  thoughtful  attendant  on  the  woman, 
now  saw  fit  to  raise  his  feeble  voice  in  the  way  of 
remonstrance. 

"  I  agree  with  thy  partner  in  life,  worthy  and  gen 
tle  Mrs.  Bush,"  he  said,  "  in  believing  that  some  ignis 
fatuus  of  the  imagination  has  deceived  Abiram,  in 
the  signs  or  symptoms  of  which  he  has  spoken." 

"  Symptoms,  yourself!"  interrupted  the  termagant. 
'•'  This  is  no  time  for  bookish  words,  nor  is  this  a 
place  to  stop  and  swallow  medicines.  If  you  are 
a-leg-weary,  say  so,  as  a  plain-speaking  man  should ; 
then  seat  yourself  on  the  prairie,  like  a  hound  that 
is  foot-sore,  and  take  your  natural  rest." 

"  I  accord  in  the  opinion,"  the  naturalist  calmly 
replied,  complying,  literally,  with  the  opinion  of  the 
deriding  Esther,  by  taking  his  seat,  very  coolly,  by 
the  side  of  an  indigenous  shrub ;  the  examination  of 
which  he  commenced,  on  the  instant,  in  order  that 
science  might  not  lose  any  of  its  just  and  important 


THE    PRAIRIE.  181 

ques.  "  1  honour  your  excellent  advice,  Mistress 
Esther,  as  you  may  perceive.  Go  thou  in  quest  of 
thy  offspring ;  while  I  tarry  here,  in  pursuit  of  that 
which  is  better ;  viz.  an  insight  into  the  arcana  of 
nature's  volume." 

The  woman  answered  with  a  hollow,  unnatural, 
and  scornful  laugh,  and  even  her  heavy  sons,  as  they 
slowly  passed  the  seat  of  the  already  abstracted  nat 
uralist,  did  not  disdain  to  manifest  their  contempt  in 
significant  smiles.  In  a  few  minutes  the  train  had 
mounted  the  nearest  eminence,  and,  as  it  turned  the 
rounded  acclivity,  the  Doctor  was  left  to  pursue  his 
profitable  investigations  in  entire  solitude. 

Another  half-hour  passed,  during  which  Esther 
continued  to  advance,  on  her  seemingly  fruitless 
search.  Her  pauses,  however,  were  becoming  fre 
quent,  and  her  looks  wandering  and  uncertain,  when 
footsteps  were  heard  clattering  through  the  bottom, 
and  at  the  next  instant  a  buck  was  seen  to  bound  up 
the  ascent,  and  to  dart  from  before  their  eyes,  in  the 
direction  of  the  naturalist.  So  sudden  and  unlocked 
for  had  been  the  passage  of  the  animal,  and  so  much 
had  he  been  favoured  by  the  shape  of  the  ground, 
that  before  any  one  of  the  foresters  had  time  to  bring 
his  rifle  to  his  shoulder,  it  was  already  far  beyond  the 
range  of  a  bullet. 

"Look  out  for  the  wolf!"  shouted  Abner,  shaking 
his  head  in  vexation,  at  being  a  single  moment  too 
late.  "  A  wolf's  skin  will  be  no  bad  gift  in  a  win 
ter's  night ;  ay,  yonder  the  hungry  devil  comes  !" 

"  Hold  !"  cried  Ishmael,  knocking  up  the  levelled 
weapon  of  his  too  eager  son.  "  'Tis  not  a  wolf;  but 
a  hound  of  thorough  blood  and  bottom.  Ha !  we 
have  hunters  nigh :  there  ar'  two  of  them  !" 

He  was  still  speaking  when  the  animals  in  question 

came  leaping  on  the  track  of  the  deer,  striving  with 

Doble  ardour  to  outdo  each  other.    One  was  an  aged 

dog,  whose  strength  seemed  to  be  sustained  purely 

Q 


182  THE    PRAIRIE. 

by  his  generous  emulation,  and  the  other  a  pup,  that 
gambolled  even  while  he  pressed  most  warmly  on 
the  chase.  They  both  ran,  however,  with  clean  and 
powerful  leaps,  carrying  their  noses  high,  like  animals 
of  the  most  keen  and  subtle  scent.  They  had  pass 
ed  ;  and  in  another  minute  they  would  have  been 
running  open-mouthed  with  the  deer  in  view,  had 
not  the  younger  dog  suddenly  bounded  from  the 
course  and  uttered  a  cry  of  surprise.  His  aged  com 
panion  stopped  also,  and  returned  panting  and  ex 
hausted  to  the  place,  where  the  other  was  whirling 
around  in  swift,  and  apparently  in  mad  evolutions, 
circling  the  spot  in  his  own  footsteps,  and  continuing 
his  outcry,  in  a  short,  snappish  barking.  But,  when 
the  elder  hound  had  reached  the  spot,  he  seated  him 
self,  and  lifting  his  nose  high  into  the  air,  he  raised  a 
long,  loud,  and  wailing  howl. 

"  It  must  be  a  strong  scent,"  said  Abner,  who  had 
been,  with  the  rest  of  the  family,  an  admiring  observ 
er  of  the  movements  of  the  dogs,  "  that  can  break 

,pjf  two  such  creaturs'  so  suddenly  from  their  trail." 
"  Murder  them  !"  cried  Abiram  ;  "  I'll   swear  to 

\   the  old  hound ;  'tis  the  dog  of  the  trapper,  whom  we 

I  now  know  to  be  our  mortal  enemy." 

p^  Though  the  brother  of  Esther  gave  such  hostile 
advice,  he  appeared  in  no  way  ready  to  put  it  in  ex 
ecution  himself.  The  surprise,  which  had  taken  pos 
session  of  the  whole  party,  exhibited  itself  in  his 
own  vacant,  wondering  stare,  as  strongly  as  in  any  of 
the  admiring  visages  by  whom  he  was  surrounded. 
His  denunciation,  therefore,  notwithstanding  its  dire 
import,  was  disregarded ;  and  the  dogs  were  left  to 
obey  the  impulses  of  their  mysterious  instinct,  with 
out  let  or  hindrance. 

It  was  long  before  any  of  the  spectators  broke  the 
silence  ;  but  the  squatter,  at  length,  so  far  recollected 
his  authority,  as  to  take  on  himself  the  right  to  con 
trol  the  movements  of  his  children. 


THE    PRAIRIE.  183 

"Come  away,  boys;  come  away,  and  leave  the 
hounds  to  sing  their  tunes  for  their  own  amusement," 
Ishmael  said,  in  his  coldest  manner.  "  I  scorn  to 
take  the  life  of  a  beast,  because  its  master  has  pitchM 
himself  too  nigh  my  clearing ;  come  away,  boys, 
come  away ;  we  have  enough  of  our  own  work  be 
fore  us,  without  turning  aside  to  do  that  of  the  whole 
neighbourhood." 

"  Come  not  away  1"  cried  Esther,  in  tones  that 
sounded  like  the  admonitions  of  some  Sybil.  "  I  say, 
come  not  away,  my  children.  There  is  a  meaning 
and  a  warning  in  this ,  and  as  I  am  a  woman  and  a 
mother,  will  I  know  the  truth  of  it  all !" 

So  saying,  the  awakened  wife  of  the  squatter 
brandished  her  weapon,  with  an  air  that  was  not  with 
out  its  wild  and  secret  influence,  and  led  the  way 
towards  the  spot  where  the  dogs  still  remained,  filling 
the  air  with  their  long-drawn  and  piteous  complaints 
The  whole  party  followed  in  her  steps,  some  too  in 
dolent  to  oppose,  others  obedient  to  her  will,  and  all 
more  or  less  excited  by  the  uncommon  character  of 
the  scene. 

"  Tell  me,  you  Abner — Abiram — Ishmael !"  the 
woman  cried,  standing  over  a  spot  where  the  earth 
was  trampled  and  beaten,  and  plainly  sprinkled  with 
blood ;  "  tell  me,  you  who  ar'  hunters  !  what  sort  of 
animal  has  here  met  his  death  ?  Speak  !  Ye  ar'  men, 
and  used  to  the  signs  of  the  plains,  all  of  ye ;  is  it 
the  blood  of  wolf  or  panther  ?" 

"  A  buffaloe — and  a  noble  and  powerful  creatur1 
has  it  been !"  returned  the  squatter,  who  looked  down 
calmly  on  the  fatal  signs  which  so  strangely  affected 
his  wife.  "  Here  are  the  marks  of  the  spot  where 
he  has  struck  his  hoofs  into  the  earth,  in  the  death- 
struggle  ;  and  yonder  he  has  plunged  and  torn  the 
ground  with  his  horns.  Ay,  a  buffaloe  bull  of  won 
derful  strength  and  courage  has  he  been !" 

"And  who  has  slain  him?"  continued   Esther; 


184  THE  PRAIRIE. 

"  man  !  where,  then,  are  the  offals  ?  Wolves  !  They 
devour  not  the  hide  !  Tell  me,  ye  men  and  hunters, 
is  this  the  blood  of  a  beast?" 

"  The  creatur1  has  plunged  over  the  hillock,"  said 
Abner,  who  had  proceeded  a  short  distance  beyond 
the  rest  of  the  party.  "  Ah  !  there  you  will  find  it, 
in  yon  swale  of  alders.  Look  !  a  thousand  carrion 
birds,  ar'  hovering,  this  very  moment,  above  the  car 
cass." 

"  The  animal  has  still  life  in  him,"  returned  the 
squatter,  "  or  the  buzzards  would  settle  upon  their 
prey !  By  the  action  of  the  dogs  it  must  be  some 
thing  ravenous  ;  I  reckon  it  is  the  white  bear  from 
the  upper  falls.  They  are  said  to  cling  desperately 
to  life !" 

"  Ay,  let  us  go  back,"  said  Abiram ;  "  there  may 
be  danger,  and  there  can  be  no  good  in  attacking  a 
ravenous  beast.  Remember,  Ishmael,  'twill  be  a  risky 
job,  and  one  of  small  profit !" 

The  young  men  smiled  at  this  new  proof  of  the 
well  known  pusillanimity  of  their  too  sensitive  uncle. 
The  oldest  even  proceeded  so  far  as  to  express  his 
contempt,  by  bluntly  saying — 

"  It  will  do  to  cage  with  the  other  animal  we  carry  • 
then  we  may  go  back  double-handed  into  the  settle 
ments,  and  set  up  for  showmen,  around  the  court 
houses  and  gaols  of  Kentucky." 

The  dark,  threatening  frown,  which  gathered  on 
the  brow  of  his  father,  admonished  the  young  man 
to  forbear.  Exchanging  looks  that  were  half  rebel 
lious  with  his  brethren,  he  saw  fit  to  be  silent.  But 
instead  of  observing  the  caution  recommended  by 
Abiram,  they  proceeded  in  a  body,  until  they  again 
came  to  a  halt  within  a  few  yards  of  the  matted 
cover  of  the  thicket. 

The  scene  had  now,  indeed,  become  wild  and 
striking  enough  to  have  produced  a  powerful  effect 
no  minds  better  prepared,  than  those  of  the  unnur- 


THE    PRAIRIE.  185 

lured  family  of  the  squatter,  to  resist  the  impressions 
of  such  an  exciting  spectacle.  The  heavens  were, 
as  usual  at  the  season,  covered  with  dark,  driving 
clouds,  beneath  which  interminable  flocks  of  aquatic 
birds  were  again  on  the  wing,  holding  their  toilsome 
and  heavy  way  towards  the  distant  waters  of  the 
south.  The  wind  had  risen,  and  was  once  more 
sweeping  over  the  prairie  in  gusts,  which  it  was  often 
vain  to  oppose ;  and  then  again  the  blasts  would  seem 
to  mount  into  the  upper  air,  as  if  to  sport  with  the 
drifting  vapour,  whirling  and  rolling  vast  masses  of 
the  dusky  and  ragged  volumes  over  each  other,  in  a 
terrific  and  yet  grand  disorder.  Above  the  little 
brake,  the  flocks  of  birds  still  held  their  flight,  cir 
cling  with  heavy  wings  about  the  spot,  struggling  at 
times  against  the  torrent  of  wind,  and  then  favoured 
by  their  position  and  height,  making  bold  «woops 
upon  the  thicket,  away  from  which,  however,  they 
never  failed  to  sail,  screaming  in  terror,  as  if  appris 
ed,  either  by  sight  or  instinct,  that  the  hour  of  their 
voracious  dominion  had  not  yet  fully  arrived. 

Ishmael  stood  for  many  minutes,  with  his  wife  and 
children  clustered  together,  in  an  amazement,  with 
which  awe  was  singularly  mingled,  gazing  in  death 
like  stillness  on  the  imposing  sight.  The  voice  of 
Esther  at  length  broke  the  charm,  and  reminded  the 
spectators  of  the  necessity  of  resolving  their  doubts 
in  some  manner  more  worthy  of  their  manhood,  than 
by  a  dull  and  inactive  observation. 

"  Call  in  the  dogs !"  she  said ;  "  call  in  the  hounds, 
and  put  them  into  the  thicket ;  there  ar'  men  enough 
of  ye,  if  ye  have  not  lost  the  spirit  with  which  I 
know  ye  were  born,  to  tame  the  tempers  of  all  the 
bears  west  of  the  big  river.  Call  in  the  dogs,  I  say, 
you  Enoch  !  Abner !  Gabriel  !  has  wonder  made  ye 
deaf  as  well  as  dumb  ?" 

One  of  the  young  men  complied  ;  and  having  suc 
ceeded  in  detaching  the  hounds  from  the  place, 
Q  2 


186  THE    PRAIRIE. 

around  which,  until  then,  they  had  not  ceased   to 
hover,  he  led  them  down  to  the  margin  of  the  thicket. 

"  Put  them  in,  boy ;  put  them  in,"  continued  the 
woman  ;  "  and  you,  Ishmael  and  Abiram,  if  anything 
wicked  or  hurtful  comes  forth,  show  them  the  use  of 
your  rifles,  like  frontier-men.  If  ye  ar'  wanting  in 
spirit,  before  the  eyes  of  my  children  will  I  put  ye 
both  to  shame !" 

The  youths  who,  until  now,  had  detained  the 
hounds,  let  slip  the  thongs  of  skin,  by  which  they  had 
been  held,  and  urged  them  to  the  attack  by  their 
voices.  But,  it  would  seem,  that  the  elder  dog  was 
restrained  by  some  extraordinary  sensation,  or  that 
he  was  much  too  experienced  to  attempt  the  rash  ad 
venture.  After  proceeding  a  few  yards  to  the  very 
verge  of  the  brake,  he  made  a  sudden  pause,  and 
stood  trembling  in  all  his  aged  limbs,  apparently  as 
unable  to  recede  as  to  advance.  The  encouraging 
calls  of  the  young  men  were  disregarded,  or  only 
answered  by  a  low  and  plaintive  whining.  For  a 
minute  the  pup  also  was  similarly  affected ;  but  less 
sage,  or  more  easily  excited,  he  was  induced  at  length 
to  leap  forward,  and  finally  to  dash  into  the  cover. 
An  alarmed  and  startling  howl  was  heard,  and,  at  the 
next  minute,  he  broke  out  of  the  thicket,  and  com 
menced  circling  the  spot,  in  the  same  wild  and  un 
steady  manner  as  before. 

I"  Have  I  a  man  among  my  children  !"  demanded 
the  aroused*  Esther.  "  Give  me  a  truer  piece  than  a 
childish  shot-gun,  and  I  will  show  ye  what  the  cour 
age  of  a  frontier-woman  can  do." 

"  Stay  mother,"  exclaimed  Abner  and  Enoch ; 
"  if  you  will  see  the  creatur',  let  us  drive  it  into 
view." 

This  was  quite  as  much  as  the  youths  were  accus 
tomed  to  utter,  even  on  more  important  occasions, 
but  having  thus  given  a  pledge  of  their  intentions, 
they  were  far  from  being  backward  in  redeeming  it. 


THE    PRAIRIE.  1.87 

Preparing  their  arms  with  the  utmost  care,  they  ad 
vanced  with  steadiness  to  the  brake.  Nerves  less 
often  tried  than  those  of  the  young  borderers  might 
easily  have  shrunk  before  the  dangers  of  so  uncer 
tain  an  undertaking.  As  they  proceeded,  the  howls 
of  the  dogs  became  more  shrill  and  plaintive.  The 
vultures  and  buzzards  settled  so  low  as  to  flap  the 
bushes  with  their  heavy  wings,  and  the  wind  came 
hoarsely  sweeping  along  the  naked  prairie,  as  if  the 
spirits  of  the  air  had  also  descended  to  witness  the 
approaching  developement. 

There  was  a  breathless  moment  when  the  blood 
of  the  usually  undaunted  Esther  flowed  backward  to 
her  heart,  as  she  saw  her  sons  push  aside  the  matted 
branches  of  the  thicket  and  bury  themselves  in  its 
labyrinth.  A  deep  and  solemn  pause  succeeded. 
Then  arose  two  loud  and  piercing  cries,  in  quick  suc 
cession,  which  were  followed  by  a  quiet  still  more 
awful  and  appalling. 

"  Come  back,  come  back,  my  children  !"  cried  the 
woman,  the  feelings  of  a  mother  getting  the  entire 
ascendancy  in  her  bosom. 

But  her  voice  was  hushed,  and  every  faculty  seem-^ 
ed  frozen  with  horror,  as  at  that  instant  the  bushes 
once  more  parted,  and  the  two  adventurers  re-ap 
peared,  pale,  and  nearly  insensible  themselves,  anc 
mid  at  her  feet  the  stiff  and  motionless  body  of  th( 
lost  Asa,  with  the  marks  of  a  violent  death  but  to( 
plainly  stamped  on  every  pallid  lineament. 

The  dogs  uttered  a  long  and  closing  howl,  and 
then  breaking  off  together,  they  disappeared  on  the 
forsaken  trail  of  the  deer.  The  flight  of  birds  wheeled 
upward  into  the  heavens,  filling  the  air  with  their 
complaints  at  having  been  robbed  of  a  victim  which 
frightful  and  disgusting  as  it  was,  still  bore  too  much 
of  the  impression  of  humanity  to  become  the  prey 
of  their  obscene  appetites. 


188  THE    PRAIRIE. 


CHAPTER  XIII 

44  A  pickaxe,  and  a  spade,  a  spade, 
For, — and  a  shrouding  sheet : 
O,  a  pit  of  clay  for  to  be  made 
For  such  a  guest  is  meet." 

Song  in  Hamlet, 

"  STAND  back  !  stand  off,  the  whole  of  ye  !"  said 
Esther  hoarsely  to  the  crowd,  which  pressed  too 
closely  on  the  corpse ;  "  I  am  his  mother,  and  rny 
right  is  better  than  that  of  ye  all !  Who  has  done 
this  !  Tell  me,  Ishmael,  Abiram,  Abner  !  open  your 
mouths  and  your  hearts,  and  let  God's  truth  and  no 
other  issue  from  them.  Who  has  done  this  bloody 
deed?" 

Her  husband  made  no  reply,  but  stood,  leaning  on 
his  rifle,  looking  sadly,  but  with  an  unaltered  eye,  at 
the  mangled  remains  of  his  son.  Not  so  the  mother, 
she  threw  herself  on  the  earth,  and  receiving  the 
cold  and  ghastly  head  of  the  dead  man  into  her  lap, 
she  sat  many  minutes  contemplating  those  muscular 
features,  on  which  the  death-agony  was  still  horridly 
impressed,  in  a  silence  even  more  expressive  than 
any  language  of  lamentation  could  possibly  have 
proved. 

The  voice  of  the  woman  was  literally  frozen  m 
grief.  In  vain  Ishmael  attempted  a  few  words  of 
rude  consolation  ;  she  neither  listened  nor  answered. 
Her  sons  gathered  about  her  in  a  circle,  and  express 
ed,  after  their  uncouth  manner,  their  sympathy  in 
her  sorrow,  as  well  as  their  sense  of  their  own  loss, 
but  she  motioned  them  away,  impatiently,  with  her 
hand.  At  times  her  fingers  played  in  the  matted  hair 
of  the  dead,  and  at  others  they  lightly  attempted  to 
smooth  the  painfully  expressive  muscles  of  its  ghast 
ly  visage,  as  the  hand  of  the  mother  is  often  seen  to 


THE    PRAIRIE.  189 

linger  fondly  about  the  features  of  her  sleeping  child. 
Then  starting  from  their  revolting  office,  her  hands 
would  flutter  around  her,  and  seem  to  seek  some 
fruitless  remedy  against  the  violent  blow,  which  had 
thus  suddenly  destroyed  the  child  in  whom  she  had 
not  only  placed  her  greatest  hopes,  but  so  much  o* 
ner  maternal  pride.  It  was  while  engaged  in  the  lat 
ter  incomprehensible  manner,  that  the  lethargic  Ab- 
ner  turned  aside,  and  swallowing  the  unwonted  emo 
tions  which  were  rising  in  his  own  throat,  he  observ 
ed— 

"  Mother  means  that  we  should  look  for  the  signs, 
that  we  may  know  in  what  manner  Asa  has  come  by 
his  end." 

"  We  owe  it  to  the  accursed  Siouxes !"  answered 
fshmael ;  "  Twice  have  they  put  me  deeply  in  their 
debt !  The  third  time,  the  score  shall  be  cleared  !" 

But,  as  if  not  content  with  this  plausible  explana 
tion,  and,  perhaps,  secretly  glad  to  avert  their  eyes 
from  a  spectacle  which  awakened  such  extraordinary 
and  unusual  sensations  in  their  sluggish  bosoms,  the 
sons  of  the  squatter  turned  away  in  a  body  from 
their  mother  and  the  corpse,  and  proceeded  to  make 
the  inquiries  which  they  fancied  the  former  had  so 
repeatedly  demanded.  Ishmael  made  no  objections , 
but,  though  he  accompanied  his  children  while  they 
proceeded  in  the  investigation,  it  was  more  with  the 
appearance  of  complying  with  their  wishes,  at  a  time 
when  resistance  might  not  be  seemly,  than  with  any 
visible  interest  in  the  result.  As  the  borderers,  not 
withstanding  their  usual  dullness,  were  well  instruct 
ed  in  most  things  connected  with  their  habits  of  life, 
an  inquiry,  the  success  of  which  depended  so  much 
on  signs  and  evidences  that  bore  so  strong  a  resem 
blance  to  a  forest  trail,  was  likely  to  be  conducted 
with  skill  and  acuteness.  Accordingly,  they  proceed 
ed  to  the  melancholy  task  with  great  readiness  and 
intelligence. 


190  THE    PRAIRIE. 

Abner  and  Enoch  agreed  in  their  accounts  as  to 
the  position  in  which  they  had  found  the  body.  Il 
mis  seated  nearly  upright,  the  back  supported  by  a 
mass  of  matted  brush,  and  one  hand  still  grasping  a 
broken  twig  of  the  alders.  It  was  most  probably 
owing  to  the  former  circumstance  that  the  body  had 
escaped  the  rapacity  of  the  carrion  birds,  which  had 
been  seen  hovering  above  the  thicket,  and  the  latter 
proved  that  life  had  not  yet  entirely  abandoned  the 
hapless  victim  when  he  entered  the  brake.  The 
opinion  now  became  general,  that  the  youth  had  re 
ceived  his  death-wound  in  the  open  prairie,  and  had 
dragged  his  enfeebled  form  into  the  cover  of  the 
thicket  for  the  purpose  of  concealment.  A  trail 
through  the  bushes  confirmed  this  opinion.  It  also 
appeared,  on  examination,  that  a  desperate  struggle 
had  taken  place  on  the  very  margin  of  the  thicket. 
This  was  sufficiently  apparent  by  the  trodden  branch 
es,  the  deep  impressions  on  the  moist  ground,  and  the 
lavish  flow  of  blood. 

"  He  has  been  shot  in  the  open  ground  and  come 
here  for  a  cover,1'  said  Abiram  ;  "  these  marks  would 
clearly  prove  it.  The  boy  has  been  set  upon  by  the 
savages  in  a  body,  and  has  fou't  like  a  hero  as  he  was, 
until  they  have  mastered  his  strength  and  then  drawn 
him  to  the  bushes." 

To.  this  probable  opinion  there  was  now  but  one 
dissenting  voice,  that  of  the  slow-minded  Ishmael, 
who  demanded  that  the  corpse  itself  should  be  ex 
amined  in  order  to  a  more  accurate  knowledge  of  its 
injuries.  On  examination,  it  appeared  that  a  rifle 
bullet  had  passed  directly  through  the  body  of  the 
deceased,  entering  beneath  one  of  his  brawny  shoul 
ders,  and  making  its  exit  by  the  breast.  It  required 
some  knowledge  in  gun-shot  wounds  to  decide  this 
delicate  point,  but  the  experience  of  the  borderers 
was  quite  equal  to  the  scrutiny;  and  a  smile  of  wild, 
and  certainly  of  singular  satisfaction,  passed  among 


THE    PRAIRIE.  19i 

die  sons  of  Ishmael,  when  Abner  confidently  an 
nounced  that  the  enemies  of  Asa  had  assailed  him  in 
the  rear. 

"  It  must  be  so,"  said  the  gloomy  but  attentive 
squatter.  "  He  was  of  too  good  a  stock  and  too  well 
trained,  knowingly  to  turn  the  weak  side  to  man  or 
beast!  Remember,  boys,  that  while  the  front  of 
manhood  is  to  your  enemy,  let  him  be  who  or  what 
he  may,  you  ar1  safe  from  cowardly  surprise. — Why 
Eester,  woman  !  you  ar1  getting  beside  yourself;  with 
picking  at  the  hair  and  the  garments  of  the  child ! 
Little  good  can  you  do  him  now,  old  girl." 

"  See  !"  interrupted  Enoch,  extricating  from  the 
fragments  of  cloth  the  morsel  of  lead  which  had 
prostrated  the  strength  of  one  so  powerful,  "  Here  is 
the  very  bullet." 

Jshmael  took  it  in  his  hand  and  eyed  it  long  and 
closely.  I 

"There's  no  mistake;"  at  length   he   muttered  I  \f 
through  his  compressed  teeth.  "  It  is  from  the  pouch!   ^ 
of  that  accursed  trapper.    Like  many  of  the  hunters! 
he  has  a  mark  in  his  mould,  in  order  to  know  the 
work  his  rifle  performs  ;  and  here  you  see  it  plainly 
— six  little  holes,  laid  crossways." 

"  I'll  swear  to  it !"  cried  Abiram,  triumphantly. 
"  He  shew'd  me  his  private  mark,  himself,  and  boast 
ed  of  the  number  of  deer  he  had  laid  upon  the  prai 
ries  with  these  very  bullets  !  Now,  Ishmael,  will  you 
believe  me  when  I  tell  you  the  old  knave  is  a  spy  of 
tlie-jiedrskins,  1 " 

The  lead  passed  from  the  hand  of  one  to  that  of 
another ;  and  unfortunately  for  the  reputation  of  the 
old  man,  several  among  them  remembered  also  to 
have  seen  the  aforesaid  private  bullet-marks,  during 
the  curious  examination  which  all  had  made  of  his 
accoutrements.  In  addition  to  this  wound,  however 
were  many  others  of  a  less  dangerous  nature,  all  of 


192  THE    PRAIRIE. 

which  were  supposed  to  confirm  the  supposed  guilt 
of  the  trapper. 

The  traces  of  many  different  struggles  were  to  be 
seen,  between  the  spot  where  the  first  blood  was  spilt 
and  the  thicket  to  which  it  was  now  generally  be 
lieved  Asa  had  retreated,  as  a  place  of  refuge.  These 
were  interpreted  into  so  many  proofs  of  the  weak 
ness  of  the  murderer,  who  would  have  sooner  des 
patched  his  victim,  had  not  even  the  dying  strength 
of  the  youth  rendered  him  formidable  to  the  infirmi 
ties  of  one  so  old.  The  danger  of  drawing  some 
others  of  the  hunters  to  the  spot,  by  repeated 
firing,  was  deemed  a  sufficient  reason  for  not  again 
resorting  to  the  rifle,  after  it  had  performed  the  im 
portant  duty  of  disabling  the  victim.  The  weapon 
of  the  dead  man  was  not  to  be  found,  and  had  doubt 
less,  together  with  many  other  less  valuable  and 
lighter  articles,  that  he  was  accustomed  to  carry 
about  his  person,  become  a  prize  to  his  destroyer. 

But  what,  in  addition  to  the  tell-tale  bullet,  ap 
peared  to  fix  the  ruthless  deed  with  peculiar  certain 
ty  on  the  trapper,  was  the  accumulated  evidence  fur 
nished  by  the  trail ;  which  proved,  notwithstanding 
his  deadly  hurt,  that  the  wounded  man  had  still  been 
able  to  make  a  long  and  desperate  resistance  to  the 
subsequent  efforts  of  his  murderer.  Ishmael  seemed 
to  press  this  proof  with  a  singular  mixture  of  sorrow 
and  pride  :  sorrow,  at  the  loss  of  a  son,  whom  in 
their  moments  of  amity  he  highly  valued  ;  and  pride, 
at  the  courage  and  power  he  had  manifested  to  his 
last  and  weakest  breath. 

"  He  died  as  a  son  of  mine  should  die,"  said  the 
squatter,  gleaning  a  hollow  consolation  from  so  un 
natural  an  exultation  ;  "  a  dread  to  his  enemy  to  the 
last,  and  without  help  from  the  law !  Come,  chil 
dren  ;  we  have  first  the  grave  to  make,  and  then  to 
hunt  his  murderer." 


THE    PRAIRIE.  193 

The  sons  of  the  squatter  set  about  their  melan 
choly  office,  in  silence  and  in  sadness.  An  excavation 
was  made  in  the  hard  earth,  at  a  great  expense  of 
toil  and  time,  and  the  body  was  wrapped  in  such 
spare  vestments  as  could  be  collected  among  the  la 
bourers.  When  these  arrangements  were  completed, 
fshmael  approached  the  seemingly  unconscious  Est 
her,  and  announced  his  intention  to  inter  the  dead. 
She  heard  him,  and  quietly  relinquished  her  grasp  of 
the  corpse,  rising  in  silence  to  follow  it  to  its  narrow 
resting  place.  Here  she  seated  herself  again  at  the 
head  of  the  grave,  watching  each  movement  of  the 
youths  with  eager  and  jealous  eyes.  When  a  suffi 
ciency  of  earth  was  laid  upon  the  senseless  clay  of 
Asa,  to  protect  it  from  injury,  Enoch  and  Abner  en 
tered  the  cavity,  and  trode  it  into  a  solid  mass,  by 
the  weight  of  their  huge  frames,  with  an  appearance 
of  a  strange,  not  to  say  savage,  mixture  of  care  and 
indifference.  This  well-known  precaution  was  adopt 
ed  to  prevent  the  speedy  exhumation  of  the  body  by 
ome  of  the  carnivorous  beasts  of  the  prairie,  whose 
instinct  was  sure  to  guide  them  to  the  spot.  Even 
the  rapacious  birds  appeared  to  comprehend  the  na 
ture  of  the  ceremony,  for,  mysteriously  apprised  that 
the  miserable  victim  was  now  about  to  be  abandoned 
by  the  human  race,  they  once  more  began  to  make 
their  airy  circuits  above  the  place,  screaming,  as  if  to 
frighten  the  kinsmen  from  their  labour  of  caution  and 
love. 

Ishmael  stood,  with  folded  arms,  steadily  watching 
the  manner  in  which  this  necessary  duty  was  per 
formed,  and  when  the  whole  was  completed,  he  lifted 
his  cap  to  his  sons,  to  thank  them  for  their  services- 
with  a  dignity  that  would  have  become  one  much 
better  nurtured.  Throughout  the  whole  of  a  ceie- 
mony,  which  is  ever  solemn  and  admonitory,  the 
squatter  had  maintained  a  grave  and  serious  deport- 
R 


194  THE    PRAIRIE 

ment.  His  vast  features  were  visibly  stamped  with 
an  expression  of  deep  concern ;  but  at  no  time  did 
they  falter,  until  he  turned  his  back,  as  he  believed 
for  ever,  on  the  grave  of  his  first-born.  Nature  was 
then  stirring  powerfully  within  him,  and  the  muscles 
of  his  stern  visage  began  to  work  perceptibly.  His 
children  fastened  their  eyes  on  his,  as  if  to  seek  a 
direction  to  the  strange  emotions  which  were  moving 
their  own  heavy  natures,  wrhen  the  struggle  in  the 
bosom  of  the  squatter  suddenly  ceased,  and,  taking 
his  wife  by  the  arm,  he  raised  her  to  her  feet  as 
though  she  had  been  an  infant,  saying,  in  a  voice 
that  was  perfectly  steady,  though  a  nice  observer 
would  have  discovered  that  it  was  kinder  than 
usual — 

"  Eester,  we  have  now  done  all  that  man  and 
woman  can  do.  We  raised  the  boy,  and  made  him 
such  as  few  others  were  like,  on  the  frontiers  of 
America ;  and  we  have  given  him  a  grave.  Let  us 
go." 

The  woman  turned  her  eyes  slowly  from  the  fresh 
earth,  and  laying  her  hands  on  the  shoulders  of  her 
husband,  stood  looking  him  anxiously  in  the  eyes  for 
many  moments,  before  she  uttered  in  a  voice,  deep, 
frightful,  and  nearly  choked — 

"  Ishmael !  Ishmael !  you  parted  from  the  boy  in 
your  wrath !" 

"  May  the  Lord  pardon  his  sins  freely  as  I  have 
forgiven  his  worst  misdeeds,"  calmly  returned  the 
squatter,  "  woman,  go  you  back  to  the  rock  and  read 
in  your  bible ;  a  chapter  in  that  book  always  does 
vou  good.  You  can  read,  Eester ;  which  is  a  privi 
lege  I  never  did  enjoy.11 

"  Yes,  yes,11  muttered  the  woman,  yielding  to  his 
strength,  and  suffering  herself  to  be  led,  though  with 
powerful  reluctance,  from  the  spot.  "  I  can  read  ^ 
and  how  have  I  used  the  knowledge  !  But  he,  Ish- 


THE    PRAIRIE.  195 

mael.  he  has  not  the  sin  of  wasted  Taming  to  answei 
for.  We  have  spared  him  that^  at  least !  whether  it 
be  in  mercy,  or  in  cruelty,  I  know  not." 

Her  husband  made  no  reply,  but  continued  steadily 
to  lead  her  in  the  direction  of  their  temporary  abode. 
When  they  reached  the  summit  of  the  swell  of  land, 
which  they  knew  was  the  last  spot  from  which  the 
situation  of  the  grave  of  Asa  could  be  seen,  they  all 
turned,  as  by  common  concurrence,  to  take  a  fare 
well  view  of  the  place.  The  little  mound  itself  was 
not  visible ;  but  it  was  frightfully  indicated  by  the 
flock  of  screaming  birds  which  hovered  above  it.  In 
the  opposite  direction  a  low,  blue  hillock,  in  the 
skirts  of  the  horizon,  pointed  out  the  place  where 
Esther  had  left  the  rest  of  her  young,  and  served  as 
an  attraction  to  draw  her  reluctant  steps  from  the 
last  abode  of  her  eldest  son.  Nature  quickened  in 
the  bosom  of  the  mother  at  the  sight,  and  she  finally 
yielded  the  rights  of  the  dead,  to  the  more  urgent 
claims  of  the  living. 

The  foregoing  occurrences  had  struck  a  spark 
from  the  stern  tempers  of  a  set  of  beings  so  singu 
larly  moulded  in  the  habits  of  their  uncultivated 
lives,  which  served  to  keep  alive  among  them  the  dy 
ing  embers  of  family  affection.  United  to  their  pa 
rents  by  ties  no  stronger  than  those  which  use  had 
created,  there  had  been  great  danger,  as  Ishmael  had 
foreseen,  that  the  overloaded  hive  would  quickly 
swarm,  and  leave  him  saddled  with  the  difficulties  of 
a  young  and  helpless  brood,  unsupported  by  the  exer 
tions  of  those,  whom  he  had  already  brought  to  a  state 
of  maturity.  The  spirit  of  insubordination,  which 
emanated  from  the  unfortunate  Asa,  had  spread  among 
his  juniors,  and  the  squatter  had  been  made  painfully 
to  remember  the  time  when,  in  the  wantonness  of 
his  youth  and  vigour,  he  had,  reversing  the  order  of 
the  brutes,  cast  off  his  own  aged  and  failing  parents, 
to  enter  into  the  world  unshackled  and  free.  But 


196  THE    PRAIRIE. 

the  danger  had  now  abated,  for  a  t'j/ie  at  least;  and 
if  his  authority  was  not  restored  with  all  its  former 
influence,  it  was  visibly  admitted  to  exist,  and  to 
maintain  its  asteiidancy  a  little  longer. 

It  is  true  that  his  slow-minded  sons,  even  while 
they  submitted  to  the  impressions  of  the  recent 
event,  had  glimmerings  of  terrible  distrusts,  as  to  the 
manner  in  which  their  elder  brother  had  met  with  his 
death.  There  were  faint  and  indistinct  images  in  the 
minds  of  two  or  three  of  the  oldest,  which  pourtray- 
ed  the  father  himself,  as  ready  to  imitate  the  ex 
ample  of  Abraham,  without  the  justification  of  the 
sacred  authority  which  commanded  the  holv  man  to 
attempt  the  revolting  office.  But  then,  these  images 
were  so  transient  and  so  much  obscured  in  intellec 
tual  mists,  as  to  leave  no  very  strong  impressions,  and 
the  tendency  of  the  whole  transaction,  as  we  have 
already  said,  was  rather  to  strengthen  than  to  weak 
en  the  authority  of  Ishmael. 

In  this  disposition  of  mind,  the  party  continued 
their  route  towards  the  place  whence  they  had  that 
morning  issued  on  a  search  which  had  been  crowned 
with  so  melancholy  a  success.  The  long  and  fruit 
less  march  which  they  had  made  under  the  direction 
of  Abiram,  the  discovery  of  the  body  and  its  subse 
quent  interment,  had  so  far  consumed  the  day,  that 
by  the  time  their  steps  were  retraced  across  the 
broad  tract  of  waste  which  lay  between  the  grave 
of  Asa  and  the  rock,  the  sun  had  fallen  far  below  his 
meridian  altitude.  The  hill  had  gradually  risen  as 
they  approached,  like  some  tower  emerging  from 
the  bosom  of  the  sea,  and  when  within  a  mile,  the 
minuter  objects  that  crowned  its  height  came  dimly 
into  view. 

"  It  will  be  a  sad  meeting  for  the  girls  !"  said  Ish 
mael,  who,  from  time  to  time,  did  not  cease  to  utter 
something  which  he  intended  should  be  consolatory 
to  the  bruised  spirit  of  his  stricken  partner.  "  Asa 


THE    PRAIRIE. 


197 


was  much  regarded  by  all  the  young;  and  seldom 
failed  to  bring  in  from  his  hunts  something  that  they 
loved."  .  / 

"  He  did  ;  he  did  ;"  murmured  Esther  ;  "  the  boy  1  ^/ 
was  the  pride  of  the  family. — My  other  children  are  I 
as  nothing  to  him  !" 

"  Say  not  so,  good  woman,"  returned  the  father, 
glancing  his  eye  a  little  proudly  at  the  athletic  train 
which  followed,  at  no  great  distance,  in  the  rear. 
"  Say  not  so,  old  Eester ;  for  few  fathers  and  mothers 
have  greater  reason  to  be  boastful  than  ourselves." 

"  Thankful,  thankful,"  muttered  the  humbled  wo 
man,  "  ye  mean  thankful ;  Ishmael !" 

"  Then  thankful  let  it  be,  if  you  like  the  word  bet 
ter,  my  good  girl, — but  what  has  become  of  Nelly 
and  the  young !  The  child  has  forgotten  the  charge 
I  gave  her,  and  has  not  only  suffered  the  children  to 
sleep,  but,  I  warrant  you,  is  dreaming  of  the  fields 
of  Tennessee  at  this  very  moment.  The  mind  of 
your  niece  is  mainly  fixed  on  the  settlements,  I 
reckon." 

**  Ay,  she  is  not  for  us  ;  I  said  it,  and  thought  it, 
when  I  took  her,  because  death  had  stripped  her  of 
all  other  friends.  Death  is  a  sad  worker  in  the 
bosom  of  families,  Ishmael !  Asa  had  a  kind  feel 
ing  to  the  child,  and  they  might  have  come  one  day 
into  our  places,  had  things  been  so  ordered." 

"  Nay,  she  is  not  gifted  for  a  frontier  wife,  if  this 
is  the  manner  she  is  to  keep  house  while  the  husband 
is  on  the  hunt.  Abner,  let  off  your  rifle,  that  they 
may  know  we  ar'  coming.  I  fear  Nelly  and  the 
young  ar'  asleep." 

The  young  man  complied  with  an  alacrity  that 
manifested  how  gladly  he  would  see  the  rounded,  ac 
tive  figure  of  Ellen,  enlivening  the  ragged  summit  ot 
the  rock.  But  the  report  was  succeeded  neither  by 
signal  nor  answer  of  any  sort.  For  a  moment,  the 
whole  party  stood  in  suspense,  awaiting  the  result, 
R  2 


198  THE    PRAIRIE. 

and  then  a  simultaneous  impulse  caused  the  whole 
to  let  off  their  pieces  at  the  same  instant,  producing 
a  noise  which  might  not  fail  to  reach  the  ears  of  all 
within  so  short  a  distance. 

"  Ah  !  there  they  come  at  last !"  cried  Abiram, 
who  was  usually  among  the  first  to  seize  on  any  cir 
cumstance  which  promised  relief  from  disagreeable 
apprehensions. 

"  It  is  a  petticoat  fluttering  on  the  line,"  said  Est 
her,  "  I  put  it  there  myself." 

"  You  ar1  right ;  but  now  she  comes  ;  the  jade  has 
been  taking  her  comfort  in  the  tent !" 

"  It  is  not  so,"  said  Ishmael,  whose  usually  inflexi 
ble  features  were  beginning  to  manifest  the  uneasi 
ness  he  violently  felt.  "  It  is  the  tent  itself  blowing 
about  loosely  in  the  wind.  They  have  loosened  the 
bottom,  like  silly  children  as  they  ar',  and  unless  care 
is  had,  the  whole  will  come  down !" 

The  words  were  scarcely  uttered  before  a  hoarse, 
rushing  blast  of  wind,  swept  by  the  spot  where  they 
stood,  raising  the  dust  into  little  eddies,  in  its  pro 
gress  ;  and  then,  as  if  guided  by  a  master  hand,  it 
quitted  the  earth,  and  mounted  in  its  progress  to  the 
precise  spot,  on  which  all  eyes  were  just  then  rivet 
ed.  The  loosened  linen  felt  its  influence  and  totter 
ed  ;  but  regained  its  poise,  and,  for  a  moment,  it  be 
came  tranquil.  The  cloud  of  leaves  next  played  in 
circling  revolutions  around  the  place,  and  then  de 
scended  with  the  velocity  of  a  swooping  hawk,  and 
sailed  away  into  the  prairie  in  long  straight  lines, 
like  a  flight  of  swallows  resting  on  their  expanded 
wings.  They  were  followed  for  some  distance  by  the 
snow-white  tent,  which,  however,  soon  fell  behind  the 
rock,  leaving  its  highest  peak  as  naked  as  when  it 
lay  in  the  entire  solitude  of  the  desert. 

"  The  murderers  have  been  here !"  moaned  Est 
her.  "  My  babes  !  my  babes  !" 

For  a  moment  even  Ishmael  faltered  before  the 


THE    PRAIRIE.  199 

weight  of  such  an  unexpected  blow.  But  shaking 
himself,  like  an  awakened  lion,  he  sprang  forward, 
and  pushing  aside  the  impediments  of  the  barrier,  as 
though  they  had  been  feathers,  he  rushed  up  the  as 
cent  with  an  impetuosity  which  proved  how  formida 
ble  a  sluggish  nature  may  become,  when  thoroughly 
aroused. 


CHAPTER  XIV. 

**  Whose  party  do  the  townsmen  yet  admit  T" 

King  John. 

IN  order  to  preserve  an  even  pace  between  the  in 
cidents  of  the  tale,  it  becomes  necessary  to  revert  to 
such  events  as  occurred  during  the  ward  of  Ellen 
Wade. 

For  the  few  first  hours,  the  cares  of  the  honest 
and  warm-hearted  girl  were  confined  to  the  simple 
offices  of  satisfying  the  often-repeated  demands  which 
her  younger  associates  made  on  her  time  and  pa 
tience,  under  the  pretences  of  hunger,  thirst,  and  all 
the  other  ceaseless  wants  of  captious  and  inconsider 
ate  childhood.  She  had  seized  a  moment  from  their 
importunities  to  steal  into  the  tent,  where  she  was 
administering  to  the  comforts  of  one  far  more  de 
serving  of  her  tenderness,  when  an  outcry,  which 
arose  among  the  children  she  had  left,  recalled  her 
to  the  duties  she  had  momentarily  forgotten, 

"  See,  Nelly,  see !"  exclaimed  half  a  dozen  eager 
voices,  as  she  re-appeared  among  them,  "  yonder  ar^ 
men  ;  and  Phoebe  says  that  they  ar'  Sioux-Indians  P\ 

Ellen  turned  her  eyes  in  the  direction  in  which  so ! 
many  arms  were  already  extended,  and,  to  her  con 
sternation,  beheld  the  forms  of  several  men,  who 
were  advancing,  manifestly  and  swiftly,  in  a  straight 
line  towards  the  rock.  She  counted  four,  but  was 


C200  THE    PRAIRIE 

unable  to  make  out  any  thing  concerning  their  char 
acters,  except  that  they  were  not  any  of  those  who 
of  right  were  entitled  to  admission  into  the  fortress. 
It  was  a  fearful  moment  for  Ellen.  Looking  around, 
at  the  juvenile  and  frightened  flock  that  pressed  up 
on  the  skirts  of  her  garments,  she  endeavoured  to 
recall  to  her  confused  faculties  some  one  of  the 
many  tales  of  female  heroism,  with  which  the  nistory 
of  the  western  frontier  abounded.  In  one7a  stock 
ade  had  been  successfully  defended  by  a  single  many 
supported  by  three  or  ffour  women,  for  days,  against 
the  assaults  of  a  hundred  enemies.  In  another,  the 
women  alone  had  been  able  to  protect  the  children,, 
and  less  valuable  effects  of  their  absent  husbands ; 
and  a  third  was  not  wanting,,  in  which  a  solitary  fe 
male  had  destroyed  her  sleeping  captors  and  givem 
liberty  not  only  to  herself,  but  to  a  brood  of  timid 
and  helpless  young.  This  was  the  case  most  nearly 
assimilated  to  the  situation  in  which  Ellen  now  found 
herself;  and,  with  flushing  cheeks  and  kindling  eyes7 
the  encouraged  girl  began  to  consider  of,  and  to  pre 
pare  her  slender  means  of  defence. 

She  posted  the  larger  girls  at  the  little  levers  that 
were  to  cast  the  rocks  on  the  assailants,  the  smaller 
were  to  be  used  more  for  shew  than  any  positive 
service  they  could  perform,.  whiler  like  any  othet 
leader,  she  was  reserved  in.  her  own  person,  as  a 
superintendant  and  encourager  of  the  whole.  When 
these  dispositions  were  made,  she  endeavoured  to 
await  the  issue,  with  an  air  of  composure,  that  she 
intended  should  inspire  her  assistants  with  the  confi 
dence  necessary  to  insure  their  success.. 

Although  Ellen  was  vastly  their  superior  in  that 
spirit  which  emanates  from  moral  qualities,  sh^  was 
by  no  means  the  equal  of  the  two  eldest  daughters 
of  Esther,  in  the  not  less  important  military  property 
of  insensibility  to  danger.  Reared  in  all  the  hardi 
hood  of  a  constantly  migrating  life,  on  the  skirts  af 


THE    PRAIRIE.  201 

society,  where  they  had  become  familiarized  to  the 
sights  and  dangers  of  the  wilderness,  these  girls  prom 
ised  fairly  to  become,  at  some  future  day,  no  less  dis 
tinguished  than  their  mother  for  their  daring,  and  for 
that  singular  mixture  of  good  and  evil",  which,  in  a 
wider  sphere  of  action,  would  probably  have  enabled 
the  wife  of  the  squatter  to  enrol  her  name  among 
the  remarkable  females  of  her  time.  Esther  had  al 
ready,  on  one  occasion,  made  good  the  log  tenement 
of  Ishmael  against  an  inroad  of  savages ;  and  on 
another,  she  had  been  left  for  dead  by  her  enemies, 
after  a  defence  that  with  a  more  civilized  foe  would 
have  entitled  her  to  the  honours  and  attentions  of  a 
liberal  capitulation.  These  facts,  and  sundry  others 
of  a  similar  nature,  had  often  been  recapitulated  with 
a  suitable  exultation  in  the  presence  of  her  daugh 
ters,  and  the  bosoms  of  the  young  Amazons  were 
now  strangely  fluctuating  between  natural  terror  and 
the  ambitious  wish  to  do  something  that  might  ren 
der  them  worthy  of  being  the  children  of  such  a 
mother.  It  now  appeared  that  the  opportunity  for 
distinction,  of  this  wild  and  unnatural  character,  was 
no  longer  to  be  denied  them. 

The  party  of  strangers  was  already  within  a  hun 
dred  rods  of  the  rock.  Either  consulting  their  usual 
wary  method  of  advancing,  or  admonished  by  the 
threatening  attitudes  of  the  two  figures,  who  had 
thrust  forth  the  barrels  of  as  many  old  muskets  from 
behind  their  stone  entrenchment,  the  new  comers 
halted  under  favour  of  an  inequality  in  the  ground 
where  a  growth  of  grass  thicker  than  common  offer 
ed  them  the  advantage  of  a  place  of  concealment 
From  this  spot  they  reconnoitred  the  fortress  for  sev 
eral  anxious,  and  to  Ellen,  apparently  interminable 
minutes.  Then  one  advanced  singly,  and  appaicnt- 
ly  more  in  the  character  of  a  herald  than  of  an  as 
sailant. 

"  Phoebe,  do  you  fire  '  and  "  no,  Hetty,  yow,"  were 


202  THE    PRAIRIE. 


nning  to  be  heard  between  the  half-frightened 
and  yet  eager  daughters  of  the  squatter,  when  Ellen 
probably  saved  the  advancing  stranger  from  some 
imminent  alarm,  if  from  no  greater  danger,  by  ex 
claiming — 

"  Lay  down  the  muskets  ;  it  is  Dr.  Battius  !" 

Her  subordinates  complied,  so  far  as  to  withdraw 
their  hands  from  the  locks,  though  the  threatening 
barrels  still  maintained  their  portentous  levels.  The 
naturalist,  who  had  advanced  with  sufficient  deliber 
ation  to  note  the  smallest  hostile  demonstration  made 
by  the  garrison,  now  raised  a  white  handkerchief  on 
the  end  of  his  own  fusee,  and  came  within  speaking 
distance  of  the  fortress.  Then  assuming  what  he 
intended  should  be  an  imposing  and  dignified  sem 
blance  of  authority,  he  blustered  forth,  in  a  voice 
that  might  have  been  heard  at  a  much  greater  dis 
tance — 

•"  "  What,  ho  !  I  summon  ye  all,  in  the  name  of  the 
Confederacy  of  the  United  Sovereign  States  of 
North  America,  to  submit  yourselves  to  the  laws." 

"  Doctor  or  no  Doctor ;  he  is  an  enemy,  Nelly ; 
hear  him  !  hear  him  !  he  talks  of  the  law." 
'  "  Stop  !  stay  till  I  hear  his  answer !"  said  the  near 
ly  breathless  Ellen,  pushing  aside  the  dangerous  wea 
pons  which  were  again  pointed  in  the  direction  of 
the  shrinking  person  of  the  herald. 

"  I  admonish  and  forewarn  ye  all,"  continued  the 
startled  Doctor, "  that  I  am  a  peaceful  citizen  of  the 
before  named  Confederacy,  a  supporter  of  the  Social 
Compact,  and  a  lover  of  good  order  and  amity ;" 
then,  perceiving  that  the  danger  was,  at  least,  tem 
porarily  removed,  he  once  more  raised  his  voice  to 
the  hostile  pitch,  arid  continued — "  I  charge  ye  all, 
therefore,  to  submit  to  the  laws." 

"I  thought  you  were  a  friend,"  Ellen  replied; 
"  and  that  you  travelled  wUh  my  uncle,  in  virtue  ot 
an  agreement — " 


__ 

Iren,  to  be|~~  / 
is  fraught!  j/ 
JT  aside  the  1 


THE    PRAIRIE.  203 

**  It  is  void !  I  have  been  deceived  in  the  very 
premises,  and,  I  hereby  pronounce,  a  certain  compac- 
tum  entered  into  and  concluded  between  Ishmael 
Bush,  squatter,  and  Obed  Battius,  M.  D.  to  be  i 
tinently  null  and  of  non-effect.  Nay,  children, 
oull  is  merely  a  negative  property,  and  i 
with  no  evil  to  your  worthy  parent ;  so  lay 
fire-arms  and  listen  to  the  admonitions  of  reason.  I  | 
declare  it  vicious — null — abrogated.  As  for  thee, 
Nelly,  my  feelings  towards  thee  are  kind,  and  not  at 
all  given  to  hostility  ;  therefore  listen  to  that  which  I 
have  to  utter,  nor  turn  away  thine  ears  in  the  wan 
tonness  of  security,  Thou  knowest  the  character  of 
the  man  with  whom  thou  dwellest,  young  woman, 
and  ihou.  also  knowest  the  danger  of  being  found  in 
evil  company.  Abandon,  then,  the  trifling  advantages 
of  thy  situation,  and  yield  the  rock  peaceably  to  the 
will  of  those  who  accompany  me — a  legion,  young 
woman — I  do  assure  you  an  invincible  and  powerful 
legion.  Give,  therefore,  the  effects  of  this  lawless 
and  wicked  squatter — nay,  children,  such  disregard 
of  human  life,  is  literally  destroying  the  pleasures  01 
all  amicable  intercourse !  Point  those  dangerous 
weapons  aside,  I  entreat  of  you ;  more  for  your  own 
sakes,  than  for  mine.  Hetty,  hast  thou  forgotten  who 
appeased  thine  anguish,  when  thy  auricular  nerves 
were  tortured  by  the  colds  and  damps  of  the  naked 
earth!  and  thou,  Phoebe,  ungrateful  and  forgetful 
Phoebe,  but  for  this  very  arm,  which  you  would  pros 
trate  with  an  endless  paralysis,  thy  incisores  would 
still  be  giving  thee  pain  and  sorrow !  Lay,  then, 
aside  thy  weapons,  and  hearken  to  the  advice  of  one 
who  has  always  been  thy  friend.  And  new,  young 
woman,*"  still  keeping  a  jealous  eye  on  the  musket 
which  the  girls  had  suffered  to  be  diverted  a  little 
from  their  aim.  "  And  now,  young  woman,  for  the 
last,  and  therefore  the  most  solemn  asking :  I  demand 
of  thee  the  surrender  of  this  rock,  without  delay  or 


204  THE    PRAFRrE, 

resistance,  in  the  joint  names  of  power,  oi  justice 
and  of  the — "  law,  he  would  have  added  ;  but  recol 
lecting  that  this  ominous  word  would  again  provoke 
the  hostility  of  the  squatter's  children,  he  succeeded 
in  swallowing  it  in  good  season,  and  concluded  with 
the  less  dangerous  and  more  convertible  term  of 
"  reason." 

This  extraordinary  summons,  failed  however,  of 
producing  the  desired  effect.  It  proved  utterly  unin 
telligible  to  his  younger  listeners,  with  the  exception 
of  the  few  offensive  terms,  already  sufficiently  dis 
tinguished,  and  though  Ellen  better  comprehended 
the  meaning  of  the  herald,  she  appeared  as  little 
moved  by  his  rhetoric  as  her  companions.  At  those 
passages  which  he  intended  should  be  tender  and  af 
fecting,  the  intelligent  girl, •though  tortured  by  pain 
fully  contending  feelings,  had  even  manifested  a  dis 
position  to  laugh,  while  to  the  threats  she  turned  an 
utterly  insensible  ear. 

"  I  know  not  the  meaning  of  all  you  wish  to  say, 
Dr.  Battius,"  she  quietly  replied,  when  he  had  end 
ed,  "  but  I  am  sure  if  it  would  teach  me  to  betray 
my  trust,  it  is  what  I  ought  not  to  hear.  I  caution 
you  to  attempt  no  violence,  for  let  my  wishes  be 
what  they  may,  you  see  I  am  surrounded  by  a  force 
that  can  easily  put  me  down,  and  you  know,  or  ought 
to  know,  too  well  the  temper  of  this  family,  to  trifle 
in  such  a  matter  with  any  of  its  members,  let  them 
be  of  what  sex  or  age  they  may." 

"  I  am  not  entirely  ignorant  of  human  character," 
returned  the  naturalist,  prudently  receding  a  little 
from  the  position,  which  he  had,  until  now,  stoutly 
maintained  at  the  very  base  of  the  hill.  "  But  here 
comes  one  who  may  know  its  secret  windings  stilJ 
better  than  I." 

"  Ellen !  Ellen  Wade,"  cried  Paul  Hover,  who 
had  advanced  to  his  elbow,  without  betraying  any  of 
that  sensitiveness  on  the  subject  of  danger,  which 


THE    PRAIRIE.  205 

had  so  manifestly  discomposed  the  Doctor ;  "  I  didn't 
expect  to  find  an  enemy  in  you !" 

"  Nor  shall  you,  when  you  ask  that,  which  I  can 
grant  without  treachery  and  disgrace.  You  know 
that  my  uncle  has  trusted  his  family  to  my  care,  and 
shall  I  so  far  betray  the  trust  as  to  let  in  his  bitterest 
enemies  to  murder  his  children,  perhaps,  and  to  rob 
him  of  the  little  which  the  Indians  have  left?" 

"  Am  I  a  murderer — is  this  old  man — this  officer 
of  the  States,^  pointing  to  the  trapper  and  his  newly 
discovered  friend,  both  of  whom  by  this  time  stood 
at  his  side,  "  is  either  of  these  likely  to  do  the  things 
you  name?" 

"  What  is  it  then  you  ask  of  me  ?"  said  Ellen, 
wringing  her  hands,  in  the  pain  of  excessive  doubt. 

"  The  beast !  nothing  more  nor  less  than  the  squat 
ter's  hidden,  ravenous,  dangerous  beast !" 

Excellent  young  woman,"  commenced  the  young 
stranger,  who  had  so  lately  joined  himself  to  the 
party  on  the  prairie — but  his  mouth  was  immediate 
ly  stopped  by  a  significant  sign  from  the  trapper,  who 
whispered  in  his  private  ear — 

"  Let  the  lad  be  our  spokesman.  Natur'  will  work 
in  the  bosom  of  the  child,  and  we  shall  gain  our  ob 
ject  all  in  good  time." 

"  The  whole  truth  is  out,  Ellen,"  Paul  continued, 
"  and  we  have  lined  the  squatter  into  his  most  secret 
misdoings.  We  have  come  to  right  the  wronged  and 
to  free  the  imprisoned  ;  now,  if  you  are  the  girl  of  a 
true  heart,  as  I  have  always  believed,  so  far  from 
throwing  straws  in  our  way,  you  will  join  in  the  gen 
eral  swarming,  and  leave  old  Ishmael  and  his  hive  to 
the  bees  of  his  own  breed." 

"  I  have  sworn  a  solemn  oath — " 

"  A  compactum  which  is  entered  into  through  ig 
norance,  or  in  duresse,  is  null  in  the  sight  of  all  good 
moralists,"  cried  the  Doctor 
S 


206  THE    PRAIRIE. 

"  Hush,  hush,"  again  the  trapper  whispered, "  leave 
it  all  to  natur'  and  the  lad !" 

"  I  have  sworn  in  the  sight  and  by  the  name  of 
Him  who  is  the  founder  and  ruler  of  all  that  is  good 
whether  it  be  in  morals  or  in  religion,"  the  agitated 
EHen  continued,  "  neither  to  reveal  the  contents  of 
that  tent,  nor  to  help  its  prisoner  to  escape.  We  are 
both  solemnly,  terribly  sworn ;  our  lives  perhaps 
have  been  the  gift  we  received  for  the  promises.  It 
is  true  you  are  masters  of  the  secret,  but  not  through 
any  means  of  ours  ;  nor  do  I  know  that  I  can  justify 
myself,  for  even  being  neutral,  while  you  attempt  to 
invade  the  dwelling  of  my  uncle  in  such  a  hostile 
manner." 

"  I  can  prove  beyond  the  power  of  refutation," 
the  naturalist  eagerly  exclaimed,  "  by  Paley,  Berke 
ley,  ay,  even  by  the  immortal  -Binkerschoek,  that  a 
compactum,  concluded  while  one  of  the  parties,  be 
it  a  state  or  be  it  an  individual,  is  in  durance — " 

"  You  will  ruffle  the  temper  of  the  child,  with 
such  abusive  language,"  said  the  cautious  trapper, 
"  while  the  lad,  if  left  to  human  feelings,  will  bring 
her  down  to  the  meekness  of  a  playful  fawn.  Ah  ! 
you  are  like  myself,  little  knowing  in  the  natur'  of 
these  sorts  of  hidden  kindnesses  !" 

"  Is  this  the  only  vow  you  have  taken,  Ellen  !M 
Paul  continued  in  a  tone  which,  for  the  gay,  light- 
hearted  bee-hunter,  sounded  dolorous  and  reproach 
ful.  "  Have  you  sworn  only  to  this  !  are  the  words 
which  the  squatter  says,  to  be  as  honey  in  your 
mouth,  and  all  other  promises  like  so  much  useless 
comb." 

The  paleness,  which  had  taken  possession  of  the 
usually  cheerful  countenance  of  Ellen,  was  hid  in  a 
bright  glow,  that  was  plainly  visible  even  at  the  dis 
tance  at  which  she  stood.  She  hesitated  a  moment, 
as  if  struggling  to  repress  something  very  like  resent- 


THE    PRAIRIE.  207 

ment,  before  sta  answered  with  all  her  native  spirit— 

41 1  know  not  what  right  any  one  has  to  question 
me  about  oaths  and  promises,  which  can  only  con 
cern  her  who   has  made   them,   if  indeed   any   of 
the  sort  you  mention,  have  ever  been  made,  at  all.  I  fl      I 
shall  hold  no  further  discourse  with  one  who  thinks  |i  y 
so  much  of  himself,  and  takes  advice  merely  of  his 
own  feelings." 

"  Now,  old  trapper,  do  you  hear  that !"  said  the 
unsophisticated  bee-hunter,  turning  abruptly  to  his 
aged  friend.  "  The  meanest  insect  that  skims  the 
heavens,  when  it  has  got  its  load,  flies  straight  and 
honestly  to  its  nest  or  hive,  according  to  its  kind ; 
but  the  ways  of  a  woman's  mind,  are  as  knotty  as  a 
gnarled  oak,  and  more  crooked  than  the  windings  of 
the  Mississippi !" 

"  Nay,  nay  child,"  said  the  trapper,  good-natured 
ly  interfering  in  behalf  of  the  offending  Paul,  "  you 
are  to  consider  that  youth  is  hasty  and  not  overgiven 
to  thought.  But  then  a  promise  is  a  promise,  and 
not  to  be  thrown  aside  and  forgotten,  like  the  hoofs 
and  horns  of  a  buffaloe." 

"  I  thank  you  for  reminding  me  of  my  oath,"  said 
the  still  resentful  Ellen,  biting  her  pretty  nether  lip 
with  vexation  ;  "  I  might  else  have  proved  forget 
ful  !" 

"  Ah  !  female  natur'  is  awakened  in  her,"  said  the 
old  man,  shaking  his  head  in  a  manner  to  show  how 
much  he  was  disappointed  in  the  result,  "  but  it  man 
ifests  itself  against  the  true  spirit !" 

"  Ellen !"  cried  the  young  stranger,  who  until  now, 
had  been  an  attentive  listener  to  the  parley,  "  since 
Ellen  is  the  name  by  which  you  are  known — " 

"  They  often  add  to  it  another.  I  am  sometimes 
called  by  the  name  of  my  father." 

44  Call  her  Nelly  Wade  at  once,"  muttered  Paul  •, 
•4  it  is  her  rightful  name,  and  I  care  not  if  she  keeps 
it  for  ever !" 


208  THE  PRAIRIE. 

"  Wade,  I  should  have  added,"  continued  the 
youth.  "  You  will  acknowledge  that  though  bound 
by  no  oath  myself,  I  at  least  have  known  how  to  re 
spect  those  of  others.  You  are  a  witness  yourself 
that  I  have  foreborne  to  utter  a  single  call,  while  I 
am  certain  it  could  reach  those  ears  it  would  gladden 
so  much.  Permit  me  then  to  ascend  the  rock,  sin 
gly  ;  I  promise  a  perfect  indemnity  to  your  kinsman, 
against  any  injury  his  effects  may  sustain." 

Ellen  seemed  to  hesitate,  but  catching  a  glimpse 
of  Paul,  who  stood  leaning  proudly  on  his  rifle, 
whistling,  with  an  appearance  of  the  utmost  indiffer 
ence  the  air  of  a  boating  song,  she  recovered  her 
recollection  in  time  to  answer : 

"  I  have  been  left  the  captain  of  the  rock,  while 
my  uncle  and  his  sons  hunt,  and  captain  will  I  re 
main,  till  he  returns  to  receive  back  the  charge." 

"  This  is  wasting  moments  that  will  not  soon  re 
turn,  and  neglecting  an  opportunity  that  may  never 
occur  again,"  the  young  soldier  gravely  remarked. 

"  The  sun  is  beginning  to  fall  already,  and  many 
minutes  cannot  elapse  before  the  squatter  and  his 
savage  brood  will  be  returning  to  their  huts." 

Doctor  Battius  cast  an  anxious  glance  behind  him, 
and  took  up  the  discourse  by  saying — 

"  Perfection  is  always  found  in  maturity,  whether 
it  be  in  the  animal  or  the  intellectual  world.  Reflec 
tion  is  the  mother  of  wisdom,  and  wisdom  the  parent 
of  success.  I  propose  that  we  retire  to  a  discreet  dis 
tance  from  this  impregnable  position,  and  there  hold 
a  convocation  or  council  to  deliberate  on  what  man 
ner  we  may  sit  down  regularly  before  the  place,  01 
perhaps  by  postponing  the  siege  to  another  season: 
gain  the  aid  of  auxiliaries  from  the  inhabited  coun 
tries,  and  thus  secure  the  dignity  of  the  laws  from 
any  danger  of  a  repulse." 

"  A  storm  would  be  better,"  the  soldier  smilingly 
answered,  measuring  the  height  arc1  scanning  all  its 


THE    PRAIRIE, 

difficulties  with  a  deliberate  eye  ;  "  'twould  be  but  a 
broken  arm  or  a  bruised  head  at  the  most." 

"  Than  have  at  it !"  shouted  the  impetuous  bee- 
hunter,  making  a  spring  that  at  once  put  him  out  of 
danger  from  a  shot,  by  carrying  him  beneath  the  pro 
jecting  ledge  on  which  the  garrison  was  posted ; 
"  now  do  your  worst,  young  devils  of  a  wicked  breed ; 
you  have  but  a  moment  to  work  all  your  mischief 


in!' 


"  Paul  !  rash  Paul !"  shrieked  Ellen,  "  another 
step  and  the  rocks  will  crush  you  !  they  hang  but  by 
a  thread,  and  these  girls  are  ready  and  willing  to  let 
them  fall !" 

"  Then  drive  the  accursed  swarm  from  the  hive, 
for  scale  the  rock  I  will,  though  I  find  it  covered 
with  hornets." 

"  Let  her  if  she  dare  !"  tauntingly  cried  the  eldest 
of  the  girls,  brandishing  a  musket  with  a  mien  and 
resolution  that  would  have  done  credit  to  her  Ama 
zonian  dam — "  I  know  you,  Nelly  Wade  ;  you  are  fr      / 
with  the  lawyers  in  your  heart,  and  if  you  come  a  |    y 
foot  nigher,  you  shall  have  frontier  punishment.   Put , 
in  another  pry,  girls  ;  in  with  it.     I  should  like  to  seel 
the -man  of  them  all  that  dare  come  up  into  the 
camp  of  Ishmael  Bush,  without  asking  leave  of  his' 
children !" 

"  Stir  not,  Paul,  for  your  life  keep  beneath  the 
rock  !"— 

Ellen  was  interrupted  by  the  same  bright  vision, 
which  on  the  preceding  day  had  stayed  another 
scarcely  less  portentous  tumult,  by  exhibiting  itself 
on  the  same  giddy  height  where  it  was  now  seen.  . 

"  In  the  name  of  Him,  who  commandeth  all,  I  im-  ] 
plore  you  to  pause — both  you,  who  so  madly  incur  ) 
the  risk,  and  you,  who  so  rashly  offer  to  take  that 
which  you  never  can  return  !"  said  a  sweet,  implor 
ing  voice,  in  a  slightly  foreign  accent,  that  instantly 
drew  all  eyes  upward. 

S  2 


THE    PRAIRIE. 

"  Inez,  Inez !"  cried  the  officer,  "  do  I  again  see 
)-ou  !  mine  shall  you  now  be,  though  a  million  devils 
were  posted  on  this  rock.  Push  up,  my  brave  woods 
man,  and  give  room  for  another !" 

The  sudden  appearance  of  the  figure  from  the 
tent  had  created  a  momentary  stupor  among  the  de 
fendants  of  the  rock,  which  might,  with  suitable  for 
bearance  have  been  happily  improved ;  but  startled 
by  the  voice  of  Middleton,  the  surprised  Phoebe  dis 
charged  her  musket  at  the  female,  scarcely  knowing 
whether  she  aimed  at  the  life  of  a  mortal  or  at  some 
being  which  belonged  to  another  world.  Ellen  ut 
tered  a  cry  of  horror,  and  then  sprang  after  her 
alarmed  or  wounded  friend,  she  knew  not  which,  in 
to  the  tent. 

During  this  moment  of  dangerous  bye-play,  the 
sounds  of  a  serious  attack  were  very  distinctly  audi 
ble  beneath.  Paul  had  profited  by  the  commotion 
over  his  head  to  change  his  place  so  far  as  to  make 
room  for  Middleton.  The  latter  had  been  followed 
by  the  naturalist,  who,  in  a  state  of  mental  aberra 
tion  produced  by  the  report  of  the  musket,  had  in 
stinctively  rushed  towards  the  rocks  for  a  cover. 
The  trapper  remained  where  he  was  last  seen,  an 
unmoved  but  close  observer  of  these  several  pro 
ceedings.  Though  averse  to  enter  into  actual  hos 
tilities,  the  old  man  was,  however,  far  from  being 
useless.  Favoured  by  his  position,  he  was  enabled 
to  apprise  his  friends  beneath  of  the  movements  of 
those  who  plotted  their  destruction  above,  and  to  ad 
vise  and  control  their  advance  accordingly. 

In  the  mean  time  the  children  of  Esther  were  true 
to  the  spirit  they  had  inherited  from  their  redoubta 
ble  mother.  The  instant  they  found  themselves  de 
livered  from  the  presence  of  Ellen  and  her  unknown 
companion,  they  bestowed  an  undivided  attention  on 
their  more  masculine  and  certainly  more  dangerous 
assailants,  who  by  this  time  had  made  a  complete 


THE    PRAIRIE.  211 

lodgment  among  the  crags  of  the  citadel  The  re 
peated  summons  to  surrender,  which  Paul  uttered  in 
a  voice  that  he  intended  should  strike  terror  to  their 
young  bosoms,  were  as  little  heeded  as  were  the  calls 
,of  the  trapper  to  abandon  a  resistance,  which  might 
prove  fatal  to  some  among  them  without  offering  the 
smallest  probability  of  eventual  success.  Encouraging 
each  other  to  persevere,  they  poised  the  fragments 
of  rocks,  prepared  the  lighter  missiles  for  immediate 
service,  and  thrust  forward  the  barrels  of  the  muskets 
with  a  business-like  air,  and  a  coolness  that  would 
have  done  credit  to  men  long  practised  in  the  dan 
gers  of  warfare. 

"  Keep  under  the  ledge,"  said  the  trapper,  point 
ing  out  to  Paul  the  manner  in  which  he  should  pro 
ceed  ;  "  keep  in  your  foot  more,  lad — ah !  you  see 
the  warning  was  not  amiss  !  had  the  stone  struck  it, 
the  bees  would  miss  their  companion  for  many  a 
month.  Now,  namesake  of  my  friend ;  Uncas,  in 
name  and  spirit !  now,  if  you  have  the  activity  of 
Le  Cerf  Agile,  now  you  may  make  a  far  leap  to  the 
right,  and  gain  good  twenty  feet  of  height,  without 
danger.  Beware  the  bush — beware  the  bush  !  'twill 
prove  a  treacherous  hold !  Ah  !  he  has  done  it ; 
safely  and  bravely  has  he  done  it !  Your  turn  comes 
next,  friend,  that  follows  the  fruits  of  natur'.  Push 
you  to  the  left,  and  you  will  divide  the  attention  of 
the  children.  Nay,  girls,  fire — my  old  ears  are  used 
to  the  whistling  of  lead ;  and  little  reason  have  I  to 
prove  a  doe-heart  with  fourscore  years  on  my  back." 
He  shook  his  head  with  a  melancholy  smile,  but  with 
out  flinching  in  a  muscle,  as  the  bullet  which  the  ex 
asperated  Hetty  fired,  passed  innocently  at  no  great 
distance  from  the  spot  where  he  stood.  "  It  is  safer 
keeping  in  your  track  than  dodging  when  a  weak  fin 
ger  pulls  the  trigger,"  he  continued  ;  "  but  it  is  a 
solemn  sight  to  witness  how  much  human  natur'  is 
inclined  to  evil,  in  one  so  young !  Well  done,  my 


212  THE    PRAIRIE. 

man  of  beasts  and  plants !  Another  such  leap,  and 
you  may  laugh  at  all  the  squatter's  bars  and  walls. 
The  Doctor  has  got  his  temper  up  !  I  see  it  in  his 
eye,  and  something  good  will  now  come  of  him ! 
Keep  closer,  man — keep  closer." 

The  trapper,  though  he  was  not  deceived  as  to  the 
state  of  Dr.  Battius'  mind,  was,  however,  greatly  in 
error  as  to  the  exciting  cause.  While  imitating  the 
movements  of  his  companions  and  toiling  his  way 
upward,  with  the  utmost  caution,  arid  not  without 
great  inward  tribulation  of  spirit,  the  eye  of  the 
naturalist  had  caught  a  glimpse  of  an  unknown  plant. 
a  few  yards  above  his  head,  and  in  a  situation  more 
than  commonly  exposed  to  the  missiles  which  the 
girls  were  unceasingly  hurling  in  the  direction  of  the 
assailants.  Forgetting,  in  an  instant,  every  thing  bu- 
the  glory  of  being  the  first  to  give  this  jewel  to  the 
catalogues  of  science,  he  sprang  upward  at  the  prize, 
with  the  avidity  with  which  the  sparrow  darts  upon 
the  butterfly.  The  rocks,  which  instantly  came  thun 
dering  down,  announced  that  he  was  seen,  and  for  a 
moment,  as  his  form  was  concealed  in  the  cloud  of 
dust  and  fragments  which  followed  the  furious  de 
scent,  the  trapper  gave  him  up  for  lost ;  but  the  next 
instant  he  was  seen  safely  seated  in  a  cavity,  formed 
by  some  of  the  projecting  stones  which  had  yielded 
to  the  shock,  holding  triumphantly  in  his  hand  the 
captured  stem,  which  he  was  already  devouring  with 
delighted,  and  certainly  not  unskilful  eyes.  Paul 
profited  by  the  opportunity.  Turning  his  course 
with  the  quickness  of  thought,  he  also  sprang  to  the 
post  which  Obed  thus  securely  occupied,  and  uncer 
emoniously  making  a  footstool  of  his  shoulder  as  the 
latter  stooped  over  his  treasure,  he  bounded  through 
the  breach  left  by  the  fallen  rock,  and  gained  the 
level.  He  was  followed  by  Middleton,  who  joined  him 
in  seizing  and  disarming  the  girls.  In  this  manner  a 
bloodless  and  complete  victory  was  obtained  over 


THE    PRAIRIE. 


213 


that  citadel  which  Ishmael  had  vainly  flattered  him 
self  might  prove  impregnable,  for  the  short  period 
of  his  absence. 


CHAPTER  XV. 

"  So  smile  the  heavens  upon  this  holy  act, 
That  after-hours  with  sorrow  chide  us  not !" 

Sha  kspeare. 

IT  is  proper  that  the  course  of  the  narrative  should^ 
be  stayed,  while  we  revert  to  those  causes,  which 
have  brought  in  their  train  of  consequences,  the  sin 
gular  contest  just  related.  The  interruption  must 
necessarily  be  as  brief  as  we  hope  it  may  prove  sat 
isfactory  to  that  class  of  readers,  who  require  that 
no  gap  should  be  left  by  those  who  assume  the  office 
of  historians,  for  their  own  fertile  imaginations  to  fill. 

Among  the  troops  sent  by  the  government  of  the 
Confederacy  to  take  possession  of  its  newly  acquired 
territory  in  the  west,  was  a  detachment  led  by  the 
young  soldier  who  has  become  so  busy  an  actor  in 
the  scenes  of  our  legend.  The  mild  and  indolent 
descendants  of  the  ancient  colonists  received  their 
new  compatriots  without  distrust,  well  knowing  that 
the  transfer  raised  them  from  the  condition  of  sub 
jects,  to  the  more  enviable  distinction  of  citizens  in 
a  government  of  laws.  The  new  rulers  exercised 
their  functions  with  discretion  and  wielded  their  del 
egated  authority  without  offence.  In  such  a  novel 
intermixture,  however,  of  men  born  and  nurtured  in 
freedom,  and  the  compliant  minions  of  absolute  pow 
er,  the  catholic  and  the  protestant,  the  active  and  the 
indolent,  some  little  time  was  necessary  to  blend  the 
discrepant  elements  of  society.  In  attaining  so  de 
sirable  an  end,  woman  was  made  to  perform  her  ac 
customed  and  grateful  office.  The  barriers  of  preju- 


2J4  THE    PRAIRIE. 

/  dice  and  religion  were  broken  through  by  the  irresist 
ible  power  of  the  master-passion,  and  family  unions 
ere  long  began  to  cement  the  political  tie  which  had 
made  a  forced  conjunction  between  people  so  oppo 
site  in  their  habits,  their  educations,  and  their 
opinions. 

JV  Middleton  was  among  the  first,  of  the  new  posses 
sors  of  the  soil,  who  became  captive  to  the  charms 
of  a  Louisianian  lady.  In  the  immediate  vicinity  of 
the  post  he  had  been  directed  to  occupy,  dwelt  the 
chief  of  one  of  those  ancient  colonial  families,  which 
had  been  content  to  slumber  for  ages  amid  the  ease, 
indolence  and  wealth  of  the  Spanish  provinces.  He 
was  an  officer  of  the  crown,  and  had  been  induced 
to  remove  from  the  Floridas,  among  the  French  of 
the  adjoining  province,  by  a  rich  succession  of  which 
he  had  become  the  inheritor.  The  name  of  Don 
Augustin  de  Certavallos  was  scarcely  known  beyond 
the  limits  of  the  little  town  in  which  he  resided, 
though  he  found  a  secret  pleasure  himself  in  point 
ing  it  out,  in  large  scrolls  of  musty  documents,  to  an 
only  child,  as  enrolled  among  the  former  heroes  and 
grandees  of  old  and  of  new  Spain.  This  fact,  so  im 
portant  to  himself  and  of  so  little  moment  to  any 
body  else,  was  the  principal  reason,  that  while  his 
more  vivacious  Gallic  neighbours  were  not  slow  to 
open  a  frank  communion  with  their  visiters,  he  chose 
to  keep  aloof,  seemingly  content  with  the  society  of 
his  daughter,  who  was  a  girl  just  emerging  from  the 
condition  of  childhood  into  that  of  a  woman. 

The  curiosity  of  the  youthful  Inez,  however,  was 
not  so  entirely  inactive.  She  had  not  heard  the  mar 
tial  music  of  the  garrison,  melting  on  the  evening  air 
nor  seen  the  strange  banner,  which  fluttered  over  the 
heights  that  rose  at  no  great  distance  from  her  fa 
ther's  extensive  grounds,  without  experiencing  some 
of  those  secret  impulses  which  are  thought  to  distin 
guish  her  sex.  Natural  timidity,  and  that  retiring  and 


THE    PRAIRIE.  215 

perhaps  peculiar  lassitude,  which  forms  the  very 
groundwork  of  female  fascination  in  the  tropical 
provinces  of  Spain,  held  her  in  their  seemingly  indis 
soluble  bonds ;  and  it  is  more  than  probable,  that 
had  not  an  accident  occurred  in  which  Middleton 
was  of  some  personal  service  to  her  father,  so  long  a 
time  would  have  elapsed  before  they  met,  that  an 
other  direction  might  have  been  given  to  the  wishes 
of  one  who  was  just  of  an  age  to  be  alive  to  all  the 
power  of  youth  and  beauty. 

Providence — or  if  that  imposing  word  is  too  just 
to  be  classical,  fate — had  otherwise  decreed.  The 
haughty  and  reserved  Don  Augustin  was  by  far  too 
observant  of  the  forms  of  that  station  on  which  he 
so  much  valued  himself,  to  forget  the  duties  of  a 
gentleman.  Gratitude,  for  the  kindness  of  Middle- 
ton,  induced  him  to  open  his  doors  to  the  officers  of 
the  garrison,  and  to  admit  of  a  guarded  but  polite 
intercourse.  Reserve  gradually  gave  way  before  the 
propriety  and  candour  of  their  spirited  young  leader, 
and  it  was  not  long  ere  the  affluent  planter  rejoiced 
as  much  as  his  daughter,  whenever  the  well  known 
signal  at  the  gate  announced  one  of  these  agreeable 
visits  from  the  commander  of  the  post. 

It  is  unnecessary  to  dwell  on  the  impression  which 
the  charms  of  Inez  produced  on  the  soldier,  or  to  de 
lay  the  tale  in  order  to  write  a  wire-drawn  account 
of  the  progressive  influence  that  elegance  of  deport 
ment,  manly  beauty,  and  undivided  assiduity  and  in 
telligence  were  likely  to  produce  on  the  sensitive 
mind  of  a  romantic,  warm-hearted,  and  secluded  girl 
of  sixteen.  It  is  sufficient  for  our  purpose  to  say 
that  they  loved,  that  the  youth  was  not  backward  to 
declare  his  feelings,  that  he  prevailed  with  some 
facility  over  the  scruples  of  the  maiden,  and  with  no 
little  difficulty  over  the  objections  of  her  father,  and 
that  before  the  province  of  Louisiana  had  been  six 


210  THE    PRAIRIE. 

\ 

months  in  the  possession  of  the  States,  the  officer  of 
the  latter  was  the  affianced  husband  of  the  richest 
heiress  on  the  banks  of  the  Mississippi. 
""""Although  we  have  presumed  the  reader  to  be  ac 
quainted  with  the  manner  in  which  such  results  are 
commonly  attained,  it  is  not  to  be  supposed  that  the 
triumph  of  Middleton  either  over  the  prejudices  of 
the  father  or  of  those  of  the  daughter  was  achieved 
entirely  without  difficulty.  ^Religion  formed  a  stub 
born  and  nearly  irremoveable  obstacle  with  both, 
The  devoted  young  man  patiently  submitted  to  a  for 
midable  essay,  which  father  Ignatius  was  deputed  to 
make  in  order  to  convert  him  to  the  true  faith.  The 
effort  on  the  part  of  the  worthy  priest  was  systematic, 
vigorous,  and  long  sustained.  A  dozen  times  (it  was 
at  those  moments  when  glimpses  of  the  light,  sylph- 
like  form  of  Inez  flitted  like  some  fairy  being  pas- 
the  scene  of  their  conferences)  the  good  father  fan 
cied  he  was  on  the  eve  of  a  glorious  triumph  ove- 
infidelity ;  but  all  his  hopes  were  frustrated  by  some 
unlooked-for  opposition  on  the  part  of  the  subject  of 
his  pious  labours.  So  long  as  the  assault  on  his  faith 
was  distant  and  feeble,  Middleton,  who  was  no  great 
proficient  in  polemics,  submitted  to  its  effects  with 
the  patience  and  humility  of  a  martyr ;  but  the  mo 
ment  the  good  father,  who  felt  such  concern  in  his 
future  happiness,  was  tempted  to  improve  his  vantage 
ground  by  calling  in  the  aid  of  some  of  the  peculiar 
subtilties  of  his  own  creed,  the  young  man  was  too 
good  a  soldier  not  to  make  head  against  the  hot  at 
tack.  He  came  to  the  contest,  it  is  true,  with  no 
weapons  more  formidable  than  common  sense,  and 
some  little  knowledge  of  the  habits  of  his  country  as 
contrasted  with  that  of  his  adversary  ;  but  with  these 
homebred  implements  he  never  failed  to  repulse  the 
father  with  something  of  the  power  with  which  a 
nervous  cudgel-player  would  deal  with  a  skilful  mas- 


THE    PRAIRIE.  217 

ter  of  the  rapier,  setting  at  nought  his  passados  by 
the  direct  and  unanswerable  arguments  of  a  broken 
head  and  a  shivered  weapon. 

Before  the  controversy  was  terminated,  an  inroad 
of  Protestants  had  come  to  aid  the  soldier.  The 
reckless  freedom  of  such  among  them,  as  thought 
only  of  this  life,  and  the  consistent  and  tempered 
piety  of  others,  caused  the  honest  priest  to  look 
about  him,  in  concern.  The  influence  of  example 
on  one  hand,  and  the  contamination  of  too  free  an 
intercourse  on  the  other,  began  to  manifest  them 
selves,  even  in  that  portion  of  his  own  flock,  which 
he  had  supposed  to  be  too  thoroughly  folded  in  spir 
itual  government  ever  to  stray.  It  was  time  to  turn 
his  thoughts  from  the  offensive,  and  to  prepare  his 
followers  to  resist  the  lawless  deluge  of  opinion 
which  threatened  to  break  down  the  barriers  of  their 
faith.  Like  a  wise  commander,  who  finds  he  has  oc 
cupied  too  much  ground  for  the  amount  of  his  force, 
he  began  to  curtail  his  outworks.  The  relics  were 
concealed  from  profane  eyes ;  his  people  were  ad 
monished  not  to  speak  of  miracles  before  a  race  that 
not  only  denied  their  existence,  but  who  had  even  the 
desperate  hardihood  to  challenge  their  proofs,  and 
even  the  bible  itself  was  once  more  prohibited,  with 
terrible  denunciations,  for  the  triumphant  reason  that 
it  was  liable  to  be  misinterpreted. 

In  the  mean  time  it  became  necessary  to  report  to 
Don  Augustin  the  effects  his  arguments  and  prayers 
had  produced  on  the  heretical  disposition  of  the 
young  soldier.  No  man  is  prone  to  confess  his  weak 
ness  at  the  very  moment  when  circumstances  demand 
the  utmost  efforts  of  his  strength.  By  a  species  of 
pious  fraud,  for  which  no  doubt  the  worthy  priest 
found  his  absolution  in  the  purity  of  his  motives,  he 
declared  that,  while  no  positive  change  was  actually 
wrought  in  the  mind  of  Middleton,  there  was  every 
reason  to  hope  the  entering  wedge  of  argument  had 
T 


J 


•y 


218  THE    PRAIRIE. 

been  driven  to  its  head,  and  that  in  consequence  an 
opening  was  left,  through  which,  it  might  rationally 
be  hoped,  the  blessed  seeds  of  a  religious  fructifica 
tion  would  find  their  way,  especially  if  the  subject 
was  left  uninterruptedly  to  enjoy  the  advantage  of 
Catholic  communion. 

Don  Augustin  himself  was  now  seized  with  the 
desire  of  proselyting.  Even  the  soft  and  amiable 
Inez  thought  it  would  be  a  glorious  consummation  of 
her  wishes  to  be  a  humble  instrument  of  bringing 
her  lover  into  the  bosom  of  the  true  church.  The 
offers  of  Middleton  were  promptly  accepted,  and, 
while  the  father  looked  forward  impatiently  to  the 
day  assigned  for  the  nuptials,  as  to  the  pledge  of  his 
own  success,  the  daughter  thought  of  it  with  feelings 
in  which  the  holy  emotions  of  her  faith  were  blend 
ed  with  the  softer  sensations  of  her  years  and  situa 
tion. 

The  sun  rose  the  morning  of  her  nuptials  on  a 
day  so  bright  and  cloudless,  that  the  sensitive  Inez 
hailed  it  as  a  harbinger  of  her  future  happiness.  Fa 
ther  Ignatius  performed  the  offices  of  the  church,  in 
a  little  chapel  that  was  attached  to  the  estate  of  Don 
Augustin,  and  long  ere  the  sun  had  begun  to  fall, 
Middleton  pressed  the  blushing  and  timid  young 
Creole  to  his  bosom,  as  his  acknowledged  and  un- 
alienable  wife.  It  had  pleased  the  parties  to  pass  the 
day  of  the  wedding  in  retirement,  dedicating  it  sole 
ly  to  the  best  and  purest  affections,  aloof  from  all  the 
noisy  and  ordinarily  heartless  rejoicings  of  a  compel 
led  festivity. 

Middleton  was  returning  through  the  grounds  of 
Don  Augustin  from  a  visit  of  duty  to  his  encamp 
ment,  at  that  hour  in  which  the  light  of  the  sun  be 
gins  to  melt  into  the  shadows  of  evening,  when  a 
glimpse  of  a  robe,  similar  to  that  in  which  Inez  had 
accompanied  him  to  the  altar,  caught  his  eye  through 
the  foliage  of  a  retired  arbour.  He  approached  the 


THE    PRAIRIE.  219 

spot  with  a  delicacy  that  was  rather  increased  than 
diminished  by  the  claim  she  had  perhaps  given  him 
to  intrude  on  her  private  moments  ;  but  the  sounds 
of  her  soft  voice,  which  was  offering  up  prayers,  in 
which  he  heard  himself  named  by  the  dearest  of  all 
appellations,  overcame  his  scruples,  and  induced 
him  to  take  a  position  where  he  might  listen  without 
the  fear  of  detection.  It  was  certainly  grateful  to 
the  feelings  of  a  husband  to  be  able  in  this  manner 
to  lay  bare  the  spotless  soul  of  his  wife,  and  to  find 
that  his  own  image  lay  enshrined  amid  its  purest  and 
holiest  aspirations.  His  self-esteem  was  too  much 
flattered  not  to  induce  him  to  overlook  the  immedi 
ate  object  of  the  petitioner.  While  she  prayed  that 
she  might  become  the  humble  instrument  of  bringing 
him  into  the  flock  of  the  faithful,  she  petitioned  for 
forgiveness  on  her  own  behalf,  if  presumption  or  in 
difference  to  the  counsel  of  the  church  had  caused 
her  to  set  too  high  a  value  on  her  influence,  and  led 
her  into  the  dangerous  error  of  hazarding  her  own 
soul  by  espousing  a  heretic.  There  was  so  much  of 
fervent  piety,  mingled  with  so  strong  a  burst  of  natu 
ral  feeling,  so  much  of  the  woman  blended  with  the 
angel  in  her  prayers,  that  Middleton  could  have  for 
given  her,  had  she  termed  him  a  Pagan,  for  the 
sweetness  and  interest  with  which  she  petitioned  in 
his  favour. 

The  young  man  waited  until  his  bride  arose  from 
her  knees,  and  then  he  joined  her  as  though  entirely 
ignorant  of  what  had  just  occurred. 

"  It  is  getting  late,  my  Inez,"  he  said,  "  and  Don 
Augustin  would  be  apt  to  reproach  you  with  inatten 
tion  to  your  health  in  being  abroad  at  such  an  hour. 
What  then  am  I  to  do,  who  am  charged  with  all  his 
authority,  and  twice  his  love  ?" 

"  Be  like  him  in  every  thing,"  she  answered,  look 
ing  up  in  his  face  with  tears  in  her  eyes,  and  speak 
ing  with  a  marked  emphasis  ;  "  in  every  thing.  Imi- 


220  THE  PRAIRIE. 

tate  my  father,  Middleton,  and  I  can  ask  no  more  o 
you." 

"  Nor  for  me,  Inez  ?  I  doubt  not  that  I  should  be 
all  you  can  wish,  were  I  to  become  as  good  as  the 
worthy  and  respectable  Don  Augustin.  But  you  are 
1  to  make  some  allowances  for  the  infirmities  and  hah- 
\  its  of  a  soldier.  Now  let  us  go  and  join  this  excel 
lent  father." 

"  Not  yet,"  said  his  bride,  gently  extricating  her 
self  from  the  arm,  that  he  had  thrown  around  her 
slight  form,  while  he  urged  her  from  the  place.  "  1 
have  still  another  duty  to  perform,  before  I  can  sub 
mit  so  implicitly  to  your  orders,  soldier  though  you 
are.  I  promised  the  worthy  Inesella  my  faithful 
nurse,  she  who,  as  you  heard,  has  so  long  been  a 
mother  to  me,  Middleton — I  promised  her  a  visit  at 
this  hour.  It  is  the  last,  as  she  thinks,  that  she  can 
receive  from  her  own  child,  and  I  cannot  disappoint 
her.  Go  you  then  to  Don  Augustin,  and  in  one 
short  hour  I  will  rejoin  you. 

"  Remember  it  is  but  an  hour !" 

"  One  hour,"  repeated  Inez,  as  she  kissed  her 
hand  to  him ;  and  then  blushing,  as  if  ashamed  at 
her  own  boldness,  she  darted  from  the  arbour,  and 
was  seen  for  an  instant  gliding  towards  the  cottage  of 
her  nurse,  in  which  at  the  next  moment  she  disap 
peared. 

Middleton  returned  slowly  and  thoughtfully  to  the 
house,  often  bending  his  eyes  in  the  direction  in 
which  he  had  last  seen  his  wife,  as  if  he  would  fain 
trace  her  lovely  form,  in  the  gloom  of  the  evening, 
still  floating  through  the  vacant  space.  Don  Augus 
tin  received  him  with  warmth,  and  for  many  minutes 
his  mind  was  amused  by  relating  to  his  new  kinsman 
plans  for  the  future.  The  exclusive  old  Spaniard  lis 
tened  to  his  glowing  but  true  account  of  the  pros 
perity  and  happiness  of  those  States,  of  which  he 
had  been  an  ignorant  neighbour  half  his  life,  partly 


THE    PRAIRIE.  221 

in  wonder,  and  partly  with  that  sort  of  incredulity 
with  which  one  attends  to  what  he  fancies  are  the 
exaggerated  descriptions  of  a  too  partial  friendship. 

In  this  manner  the  hour  for  which  Inez  had  con 
ditioned  passed  away,  much  sooner  than  her  husband 
could  have  thought  possible  in  her  absence.  At 
length  his  looks  began  to  wander  to  the  clock,  and 
then  the  minutes  were  counted,  as  one  rolled  by  af 
ter  another,  and  Inez  did  not  yet  appear.  The  hand 
had  already  made  half  of  another  circuit  around  the 
face  of  the  dial,  when  Middleton  arose  and  announc 
ed  his  determination  to  go  and  offer  himself  as  an 
escort  to  the  absentee.  He  found  the  night  dark, 
and  the  heavens  charged  with  the  threatening  vapour, 
which  in  that  climate  was  the  infallible  forerunner 
of  a  gust.  Stimulated  no  less  by  the  unpropitious 
aspect  of  the  skies,  than  by  his  secret  uneasiness,  he 
quickened  his  pace,  making  long  and  rapid  strides  in 
the  direction  of  the  cottage  of  Inesella.  Twenty 
times  he  stopped,  fancying  that  he  caught  glimpses 
of  the  fairy  form  of  Inez,  tripping  across  the  grounds 
on  her  return  to  the  mansion-house,  and  as  often  he 
was  obliged  to  resume  his  course  in  disappointment. 
He  reached  the  gate  of  the  cottage,  knocked,  open 
ed  the  door,  entered,  and  even  stood  in  the  presence 
of  the  aged  nurse  without  meeting  the  person  of  her 
whom  he  sought.  She  had  already  left  the  place  on 
her  return  to  her  father's  house.  Believing  that  he 
must  have  passed  her  in  the  darkness,  Middleton  re 
traced  his  steps  to  meet  with  another  disappointment. 
Inez  had  not  been  seen.  Without  communicating 
his  intention  to  any  one,  the  bridegroom  proceeded 
with  a  palpitating  heart  to  the  little  sequestered  ar 
bour,  where  he  had  overheard  his  bride  offering  up 
those  petitions  for  his  happiness  and  conversion. 
Here,  too,  he  was  disappointed ;  and  then  all  was 
afloat,  in  the  painful  incertitude  of  doubt  and  con 
jecture. 

T  2 


222  THE    PRAIRIE. 

For  many  hours  a  secret  distrust  of  the  motives 
of  his  wife  caused  Middleton  to  proceed  in  the 
search  with  delicacy  and  caution.  But  as  day  dawn 
ed  without  restoring  her  to  the  arms  of  her  father  or 
her  husband,  reserve  was  thrown  aside,  and  her  un 
accountable  absence  was  loudly  proclaimed.  The 

J  inquiries  after  the  lost  Inez  were  now  direct  and 

r  open ;  but  they  proved  equally  fruitless.  No  one 
had  seen  her  or  heard  of  her  from  the  moment  that 
she  left  the  cottage  of  her  nurse. 

Day  succeeded  day,  and  still  no  tidings  rewarded 
the  search  that  was  immediately  instituted,  until  she 
was  finally  given  over,  by  most  of  her  relations  and 
friends,  as  irretrievably  lost. 

An  event  of  so  extraordinary  a  character  was  not 
likely  to  be  soon  forgotten.  It  excited  speculation, 
gave  rise  to  an  infinity  of  rumours,  and  not  a  few  in- 

/*ventions.  The  prevalent  opinion,  among  such  of 
those  emigrants  who  were  overrunning  the  country, 
as  had  time  in  the  multitude  of  their  employments 
to  think  of  any  foreign  concerns,  was  the  simple  and 
direct  conclusion  that  the  absent  bride  was  no  more 

\nor  less  than  a  felo  de  se.  Father  Ignatius  had 
many  doubts  and  much  secret  compunction  of  con- 

f)  science,  but  like  a  wise  chief  he  endeavoured  to 
turn  the  sad  event  to  some  account  in  the  impend- 
'  ing  warfare  of  faith.  Changing  his  battery,  he  whis 
pered  in  the  ears  of  a  few  of  his  oldest  parishioners, 
that  he  had  been  deceived  in  the  state  of  Middle- 
ton's  mind,  which  he  was  now  compelled  to  believe 
was  completely  stranded  on  the  quicksands  of  heresy. 
He  began  to  shew  his  relics  again,  and  was  even 
heard  to  allude  once  more  to  the  delicate  and  nearly 
forgotten  subject  of  modern  miracles.  In  conse 
quence  of  these  demonstrations  on  the  part  of  the 
venerable  priest,  it  came  to  be  whispered  among 
the  faithful,  and  finally  it  was  adopted,  as  part  of 


THE    PRAIRIE.  223 

the  parish  creed,  that  Inez  had  been  translated  to 
heaven, 

Don  Augustm  had  all  the  feelings  of  a  father,  but 
they  were  smothered  in  the  lassitude  of  a  Creole. 
Like  his  spiritual  governor  he  began  to  think  that 
they  had  been  wrong  in  consigning  one  so  pure,  so 
young,  so  lovely,  and  above  all  so  pious,  to  the  arms 
of  a  heretic,  and  he  was  fain  to  believe  that  the 
calamity,  which  had  befallen  his  age,  was  a  judgment 
on  his  presumption  and  want  of  adherence  to  estab 
lished  forms.  It  is  true,  that  as  the  whispers  of  the 
congregation  came  to  his  ears,  he  found  present  con 
solation  in  their  belief,  but  then  nature  was  too  pow 
erful,  and  had  too  strong  a  hold  of  the  old  man's 
heart,  not  to  give  rise  to  the  rebellious  thought  that 
the  succession  of  his  daughter  to  the  heavenly  inher 
itance  was  a  little  premature. 

But  Middleton,  the  lover,  the  husband,  the  bride 
groom — Middleton  was  nearly  crushed  by  the  weight 
of  the  unexpected  and  terrible  blow.  Educated  him 
self  under  the  dominion  of  a  simple  and  rational  faith, 
in  which  nothing  is  attempted  to  be  concealed  from 
the  believers,  he  could  have  no  other  apprehensions 
for  the  fate  of  Inez  than  such  as  grew  out  of  his  know 
ledge  of  the  superstitious  opinions  she  entertained 
of  his  own  church,  ft  is  needless  to  dwell  on  the 
mental  tortures  that  he  endured,  or  all  the  various 
surmises,  hopes  and  disappointments,  that  he  was 
fated  to  experience  in  the  first  few  weeks  of  his  mis 
ery.  A  jealous  distrust  of  the  motives  of  Inez,  and 
a  secret,  lingering  hope  that  he  should  yet  find  her, 
had  tempered  his  inquiries,  without  however  caus 
ing  him  to  abandon  them  entirely.  But  time  was 
beginning  to  deprive  him,  even  of  the  mortifying  re 
flection  that  he  was  intentionally,  though  perhaps 
temporarily,  deserted,  and  he  was  gradually  yielding 
to  the  more  painful  conviction  that  she  was  dead 


224  THE    PRAIRIE. 

when  his  hopes  were  suddenly  revived  in  a  new  and 
singular  manner. 

The  young  commander  was  slowly  and  sorrowful 
ly  returning  from  an  evening  parade  of  his  troops,  to 
his  own  quarters,  which  stood  at  some  little  distance 
from  the  place  of  the  encampment,  and  on  the  same 
high  bluff  of  land,  when  his  vacant  eyes  fell  on  the 
figure  of  a  man,  who  by  the  regulations  of  the  place, 
was  not  entitled  to  be  there  at  that  forbidden  hour. 
The  stranger  was  meanly  dressed,  with  every  ap 
pearance  about  his  person  and  countenance  of  squa 
lid  poverty  and  of  the  most  dissolute  habits.  Sor 
row  had  softened  the  military  pride  of  Middleton, 
and,  as  he  passed  the  crouching  form  of  the  Mi-trader, 
he  said,  in  tones  of  great  mildness,  or  rather  of  kind 
ness — 

"  You  will  be  given  a  night  in  the  guard-house? 
friend,  should  the  patrole  find  you  here — there  is  a 
dollar — go,  and  get  a  better  place  to  sleep  in,  and 
something  to  eat  !" 

"  I  swallow  all  my  food,,  captain,  without  chew 
ing  ;"  returned  the  vagabond,,  with  the  low  exulta 
tion  of  an  accomplished  villain,  as  he  eagerly  seized 
the  silver.  "  Make  this  Mexican  twenty,  and  1  will 
sell  you  a  secret." 

"  Go,  go,"  said  the  other  with  a  little  of  a  soldier's 
severity,  returning  to  his  manner.  tfcGo,  before  I  or 
der  the  guard  to  seize  you." 

"  Well,  go  it  is  then — but  if  I  do  go,  captain,  I 
shall  take  my  knowledge  with  me ;  and  then  you 
may  live  a  widower  bewitched  till  the  tattoo  of  life 
is  beat  off." 

"  What  mean  you,  fellow  ?"  exclaimed  Middleton, 
turning  quickly  towards  the  wretch,,  who  was  already 
dragging  his  diseased  limbs  from  the  place. 

"  I  mean  to  have  the  value  of  this  dollar  in  Span 
ish  brandy,  and  then  come  back  and  sell  you  nay  se* 
cret  for  enough  to  buy  a  barreL" 


THE    PRAIRIE.  225 

"  If  you  have  any  thing  to  say,  speak  now ,"  con 
tinued  Middleton,  restraining  with  difficulty  the  im 
patience  that  urged  him  to  betray  his  feelings. 

"  I  am  a-dry,  and  I  can  never  talk  with  elegance 
when  my  throat  is  husky,  captain.  How  much  will 
you  give  to  know  what  I  can  tell  you  ;  let  it  be  some 
thing  handsome ;  such  as  one  gentleman  can  offer  to 
another." 

"  I  believe  it  would  be  better  justice  to  order  the 
drummer  to  pay  you  a  visit,  fellow.  To  what  does 
your  boasted  secret  relate  ?" 

"  Matrimony ;  a  wife  and  no  wife ;  a  pretty  face 
and  a  rich  bride ;  do  I  speak  plain  now,  captain  ?" 

"  If  you  know  any  thing  relating  to  my  wife,  say 
it  at  once  ;  you  need  not  fear  for  your  reward." 

"Ay,  captain,  I  have  drove  many  a  bargain  in  my 
time,  and  sometimes  I  have  been  paid  in  money,  and 
sometimes  1  have  been  paid  in  promises :  now  the 
last  are  what  I  call  pinching  food." 

"  Name  your  price." 

"  Twenty — No,  damn  it,  it's  worth  thirty  dollars, 
if  it's  worth  a  cent." 

"  Here,  then,  is  your  money ;  but  remember,  if 
you  tell  me  nothing  worth  knowing,  I  have  a  force 
that  can  easily  deprive  you  of  it  again,  and  punish 
your  insolence  in  the  bargain." 

The  fellow  examined  the  bank-bills  he  received 
with  a  jealous  eye,  and  then  pocketed  them,  appa 
rently  well  satisfied  of  their  being  genuine. 

"I  like  a  northern  note,"  he  said  very  coolly; 
"  they  have  a  character  to  lose  like  myself.  No  fear 
of  me,  captain ;  I  am  a  man  of  honour,  and  I  shall 
not  tell  you  a  word  more,  nor  a  word  less  than  1 
know  of  my  own  knowledge  to  be  true." 

"  Proceed  then  without  further  delay,  or  I  may  re 
pent  and  order  you  to  be  deprived  of  all  your  gains ; 
the  silver  as  well  as  the  notes." 


226  THE    PRAIRIE. 

"  Honour,  if  you  die  for  it !"  returned  the  mis 
creant,  holding  up  a  hand  in  affected  horror  at  so 
treacherous  a  threat.  "  Well,  captain,  you  must 
know  that  gentlemen  don't  all  live  by  the  same  call 
ing  ;  some  keep  what  they've  got,  and  some  get  what 
they  can." 

"  You  have  been  a  thief." 

"  I  scorn  the  word.  I  have  been  a  humanity  hunt 
er.  Do  you  know  what  that  means  ?  Ay,  it  has 
many  interpretations.  Some  people  think  the  wool 
ly-heads  are  miserable,  working  on  hot  plantations 
under  a  broiling  sun — and  all  such  sorts  of  inconve 
niences.  Well,  captain,  I  have  been,  in  my  time,  a 
man  who  has  been  willing  to  give  them  the  pleasures 
of  variety,  at  least,  by  changing  the  scene  for  them. 
You  understand  me  ?" 

"  You  are,  in  plain  language,  a  kidnapper." 

"  Have  been,  my  worthy  captain — have  been;  but 
just  now  a  little  reduced,  like  a  merchant  who  leaves 
off  selling  tobacco  by  the  hogshead,  to  deal  in  it  by 
the  yard.  I  have  been  a  soldier,  too,  in  my  day. 
What  is  said  to  be  the  great  secret  of  our  trade,  now 
can  you  tell  me  that?" 

"  I  know  not,"  said  Middleton,  beginning  to  tire  of 
the  fellow's  trifling ;  "  courage  ?" 

"  No,  legs — legs  to  fight  with,  and  legs  to  run  away 
with — and  therein  you  see  my  two  callings  agreed. 
My  legs  are  none  of  the  best  just  now,  and  without 
/egs  a  kidnapper  would  carry  on  a  losing  trade  ;  but 
ihen  there  are  men  enough  left,  better  provided  thai 
{.  am." 

"  Stolen  !"  groaned  the  horror-struck  husband. 

"  On  her  travels,  as  sure  as  you  are  standing  still  !r- 

"Villain,  what  reason  have  you  for  believing  £ 
thing  so  shocking?" 

"  Hands  off— hands  off— do  you  think  my  tongue 
can  do  its  work  the  better  for  a  little  squeezing  of 


THE    PRAIRIE.  227 

the  throat !  Have  patience,  and  you  shall  know  it 
all ;  but  if  you  treat  me  so  ungenteelly  again,  I  shall 
be  obliged  to  call  in  the  assistance  of  the  lawyers/1 

u  Say  on ;  but  if  you  utter  a  single  word  more  or 
Jess  than  the  truth,  expect  my  instant  vengeance  !" 

"Are  you  fool  enough  to  believe  what  such  a 
scoundrel  as  I  am  tells  you,  captain,  unless  it  has 
probability  to  back  it  ?  No,  I  know  you  are  not : 
Therefore  I  will  give  my  facts  and  my  opinions,  and 
then  leave  you  to  chew  on  them,  while  I  go  and 
drink  of  your  generosity.  I  know  a  man  ivho  is  call 
ed  Abiram  White. — I  believe  the  knave  took  that 
name  to  shew  his  enmity  to  the  race  of  blacks !  But 
this  gentleman  is  now,  and  has  been  for  years,  to  my 
certain  knowledge,  a  regular  translator  of  the  human 
body  from  one  State  to  another. — I  have  dealt  with 
him  in  my  time,  and  a  cheating  dog  he  is  i  No  more 
honour  in  him  than  meat  in  my  stomach. — I  saw  him 
here  in  this  very  town,  the  day  of  your  wedding.  He 
was  in  company  with  his  wife^s  brother,  and  preteftcl- 
etfto  be  a  settler  on  the  hunt  for  new  land..  A  noble 
seTthey  were,  to  carry  on  business — seven  sons,  each 
of  them  as  tall  as  your  sergeant  with  his  cap  on. 
Well,  the  moment  I  heard  that  your  wife  was  lost,  I 
ssw  at  once  that  Abiram  had  laid  his  hands  on  her." 

"  Do  you  know  this — can  this  be  true  ?  What  rea 
son  have  you  to  fancy  a  thing  so  wild  ?" 

"Reason  enough  ;  I  know  Abiram  White.  Now, 
will  you  add  a  trifle  just  to  keep  my  throat  from 
parching  ?" 

•"  Go,  go  ~,  you  are  stupified  with  drink  already, 
miserable  man,  and  know  not  what  you  say.  Go ; 
go,  and  beware  the  drummer/' 

"  Experience  is  a  good  guide" — The  fellow  called 
after  the  retiring  Middleton,  and  then  turning  with  a 
chuckling  laugh,  like  one  well  satisfied  with  "himself, 
tie  made  the  best  of  his  way  towards  the  shop  of 
the  suttler. 


/ 


228  THE    PRAIRIE. 

A  hundred  times  in  the  course  of  that  night  did 
Middleton  fancy  that  the  communication  of  the  mis 
creant  was  entitled  to  some  attention,  and  as  often 
did  he  reject  the  idea  as  too  wild  and  visionary  foi 
another  thought.  He  was  awakened  early  on  the 
following  morning,  after  passing  a  restless  and  nearly 
sleepless  night,  by  his  orderly,  who  came  to  repori 
that  a  man  was  found  dead  on  the  parade,  at  no 
great  distance  from  his  quarters.  Throwing  on  his 
clothes  he  proceeded  to  the  spot,  and  beheld  the  in 
dividual,  with  whom  he  had  held  the  preceding  con 
ference,  in  the  precise  situation  in  which  he  had  first 
been  found. 

The  miserable  wretch  had  fallen  a  victim  to  his 
intemperance.  This  revolting  fact  was  sufficiently 
proclaimed  by  his  obtruding  eye-balls,  his  bloated 
countenance,  and  the  nearly  insufferable  odours  that 
were  even  then  exhaling  from  his  carcass.  Disgust 
ed  with  the  odious  spectacle,  the  youth  was  turning 
from  the  sight,  after  ordering  the  corpse  to  be  remov 
ed,  when  the  position  of  one  of  the  dead  man's  hands 
struck  him.  On  examination,  he  found  the  fore-fin 
ger  extended,  as  if  in  the  act  of  writing  in  the  sand, 
with  the  following  incomplete  sentence,  nearly  illegi 
ble,  but  yet  in  a  state  to  be  deciphered  :  "  Captain, 
it  is  true,  as  I  am  a  gentle — "  He  had  either  died, 
or  fallen  into  a  sleep  which  was  the  forerunner  of  his 
death,  before  the  latter  word  was  finished. 

Concealing  this  fact  from  the  others,  Middleton 
repeated  his  orders  and  departed.  The  pertinacity 
of  the  deceased,  and  all  the  circumstances  united, 
induced  him  to  set  on  foot  some  secret  inquiries.  He 
found  that  a  family,  answering  the  description  which 
had  been  given  him,  had  in  fact  passed  the  place  the 
very  day  of  his  nuptials.  They  were  traced  along 
the  margin  of  the  Mississippi  for  some  distance,  un 
til  they  took  boat  and  ascended  the  river  to  its  con 
fluence  with  the  Missouri.  Here  they  had  disappear- 


THE    PRAIRIE.  229 

ed,  like  hundreds  of  others,  in  pursuit  of  the  hidden 
wealth  of  the  interior. 

Furnished  with  these  facts,  Middleton  detailed  a 
small  guard  of  his  most  trusty  men,  took  leave  of 
Don  Augustin,  without  declaring  his  hopes  or  his 
fears,  and  having  arrived  at  the  indicated  point,  he 
pushed  into  the  wilderness  in  pursuit.  It  was  not  dif 
ficult  to  trace  a  train  like  that  of  Ishmael  until  he 
was  well  assured  its  object  lay  far  beyond  the  usual 
limits  of  the  settlements.  This  circumstance  in  it 
self  quickened  his  suspicions,  and  gave  additional 
force  to  his  hopes  of  final  success. 

After  getting  beyond  the  assistance  of  verbal  di 
rections,  the  anxious  husband  had  recourse  to  the 
usual  signs  of  a  trail,  in  order  to  follow  the  fugitives. 
This  he  also  found  a  task  of  no  difficulty  until  he 
reached  the  hard  and  unyielding  soil  of  the  rolling 
prairies.  Here,  indeed,  he  was  completely  at  fault 
He  found  himself,  at  length,  compelled  to  separate 
his  followers,  appointing  a  place  of  rendezvous  at  a 
distant  day,  and  to  endeavour  to  find  the  lost  trail  by 
multiplying,  as  much  as  possible,  the  number  of  his 
eyes.  He  had  been  alone  a  week,  when  accident! 
brought  him  in  contact  with  the  trapper  and  the} 
bee-hunter.  Part  of  their  interview  has  been  relat 
ed,  and  the  reader  can  readily  imagine  the  explana 
tions  that  succeeded  the  tale  he  recounted,  and  which 
led,  as  has  already  been  seen,  to  the  recovery  of  his 
bride. 


230  THE  PRAIRIE. 


CHAPTER  XVI. 

•*  These  likelihoods  confirm  her  flight  from  hence, 
Therefore,  I  pray  you,  stay  not  to  discourse, 
But  mount  you  presently ; — " 

Shakspeare. 

AN  hour  had  slid  by,  in  hasty  and  nearly  incohe 
rent  questions  and  answers,  before  Middleton,  hanging 
over  his  recovered  treasure  with  that  sort  of  jealous 
watchfulness  with  which  a  miser  would  regard  his 
hoards,  closed  the  disjointed  narrative  of  his  own 
proceedings  by  demanding — 

"  And  you,  my  Inez ;  in  what  manner  were  you 
treated?" 

"  In  every  thing,  but  the  great  injustice  they  did 
in  separating  me  so  forcibly  from  my  friends,  as  well 
perhaps  as  the  circumstances  of  my  captors  would 
allow.  I  think  the  man,  who  is  certainly  the  master 
here,  is  but  a  new  beginner  in  wickedness.  He  quar 
relled  frightfully  in  my  presence,  with  the  wretch 
who  seized  me,  and  then  they  made  an  impious  bar 
gain,  to  which  I  was  compelled  to  acquiesce,  and  to 
which  they  bound  me  as  well  as  themselves  by  oaths. 
Ah  !  Middleton,  I  fear  the  heretics  are  not  so  heed 
ful  of  their  vows  as  we  who  are  nurtured  in  the 
bosom  of  the  true  church  !" 

"  Believe  it  not ;  these  villains  are  of  no  religion 
did  they  forswear  themselves  ?" 

14  No,  not  perjured :  but  was  it  not  awful  to  call 
upon  the  good  God  to  witness  so  sinful  a  compact  ?" 

"  And  so  we  think,  Inez,  as  truly  as  the  most  vir 
tuous  cardinal  of  Rome.  But  how  did  they  observe 
their  oath,  and  what  was  its  purport  ?" 

"  They  conditioned  to  leave  me  unmolested,  and 
free  from  their  odious  presence,  provided  I  would 
give  a  pledge  to  make  no  effort  to  escape ;  and  that 


THE    PRAIRIE.  231 

I  would  not  even  shew  myself,  until  a  time  that  my 
masters  saw  fit  to  name." 

"  And  that  time  ?"  demanded  the  impatient  Mid- 
dleton,  who  so  well  knew  the  religious  scruples  of 
his  wife—"  That  time  ?" 

"  It  is  already  passed.  I  was  sworn  by  my  patron 
saint,  and  faithfully  did  I  keep  the  vow,  until  the  man 
they  call  Ishmael  forgot  the  terms  by  offering  vio 
lence.  I  then  made  my  appearance  on  the  rock, 
for  the  time  too  was  passed ;  though  I  even  think 
father  Ignatius  would  have  absolved  me  from  the 
vow,  on  account  of  the  treachery  of  my  keepers." 

"  If  he  had  not,"  muttered  the  youth  between  his 
compressed  teeth,  "  I  would  have  absolved  him  for 
ever  from  his  spiritual  care  of  your  conscience  !" 

"  You,  Middleton  !"  returned  his  wife  looking  up 
into  his  flushed  face,  while  a  bright  blush  suffused 
her  own  sweet  countenance ;  "  you  may  receive  my 
vows,  but  surely  you  can  have  no  power  to  absolve 
me  from  their  observance  !" 

"  No,  no,  no.  Inez,  you  are  right.  I  know  but 
little  of  these  conscientious  subtilties,  and  I  am  any 
thing  but  a  priest :  yet  tell  me,  what  has  induced 
these  monsters  to  play  this  desperate  game — to  trifle 
thus  with  my  happiness  ?" 

"  You  know  my  ignorance  of  the  world,  and  how 
ill  I  am  qualified  to  furnish  reasons  for  the  conduct 
of  beings  so  different  from  any  1  have  ever  seen  be 
fore.  But  does  not  love  of  money  drive  men  to  acts 
even  worse  than  this  ?  I  believe  they  thought  that 
an  aged  and  wealthy  father  could  be  tempted  to  pay 
them  a  rich  ransom  for  his  child  ;  and,  perhaps,"  she 
added,  stealing  an  inquiring  glance,  through  her 
tears,  at  the  attentive  Middleton,  "  they  counted 
something  on  the  fresh  affections  of  a  bridegroom." 

"  They  might  have  extracted  the  blood  from  my 
heart,  drop  by  drop  !" 

"  Yes,"  resumed  his  young  and  timid  wife  instant- 


232  THE    PRAIRIE. 

ly  withdrawing  the  stolen  look  she  had  hazarded,  and 
hurriedly  pursuing  the  train  of  the  discourse,  as  if 
glad  to  make  him  forget  the  liberty  she  had  just  taken, 
"  I  have  been  told,  there  are  men  so  base  as  to 
perjure  themselves  at  the  altar,  in  order  to  command 
the  gold  of  ignorant  and  confiding  girls ;  and  if  love 
of  money  will  lead  to  such  baseness,  we  may  surely 
expect  it  will  hurry  those,  who  devote  themselves  to 
gain,  into  acts  of  lesser  fraud." 

"  It  must  be  so  ;  and  now  Inez,  though  I  am  here 
to  guard  you  with  my  life,  and  we  are  in  possession 
of  this  rock,  our  difficulties,  perhaps  our  dangers, 
are  not  ended.  You  will  summon  all  your  courage 
to  meet  the  trial  and  prove  yourself  a  soldier's  wife, 
my  Inez  ?" 

"  I  am  ready  to  depart  this  instant.  The  letter, 
you  sent  by  the  physician,  had  prepared  me  to  hope 
for  the  best,  and  I  have  every  thing  arranged  for  flight, 
at  the  shortest  warning." 

"  Let  us  then  leave  this  place  and  join  our  friends." 

"  Friends !"  interrupted  Inez,  glancing  her  eyes 
around  the  little  tent  in  quest  of  the  form  of  Ellen. 
"  I,  too,  have  a  friend  who  must  not  be  forgotten, 
but  who  is  pledged  to  pass  the  remainder  of  her  life 
with  us.  She  is  gone  !" 

Middleton  gently  led  her  from  the  spot,  as  he 
smilingly  answered — 

"  She  may  have  had,  like  myself,  her  own  private 
communications  for  some  favoured  ear." 

The  young  man  had  not  however  done  justice  to 
the  motives  of  Ellen  Wade.  The  sensitive  and  in 
telligent  girl  had  readily  perceived  how  little  her 
presence  was  necessary  in  the  interview  that  has 
just  been  related,  and  had  retired  with  that  intuitive 
delicacy  of  feeling  which  seems  to  belong  more  prop 
erly  to  her  sex.  She  was  now  to  be  seen  seated  on  a 
point  of  the  rock,  with  her  person  so  entirely  envel 
oped  in  her  dress  as  entirely  to  conceal  her  features 


THE    PRAIRIE.  233 

Here  she  had  remained  for  near  an  hour,  no  one  ap 
proaching  to  address  her,  and  as  it  appeared  to  her 
own  quick  and  jealous  eyes,  totally  unobserved.  In 
the  latter  particular,  however,  even  the  vigilance  of 
the  quick-sighted  Ellen  was  deceived. 

The  first  act  of  Paul  Hover,  on  finding  himself  the 
master  of  Ishmael's  citadel,  had  been  to  sound  the 
note  of  victory,  after  the  quaint  and  ludicrous  man 
ner  that  is  so  often  practised  among  the  borderers  of 
the  West.  Flapping  his  sides  with  his  hands,  as  the 
conquering  game-cock  is  wont  to  do  with  his  wings, 
he  raised  a  loud  and  laughable  imitation  of  the  exul 
tation  of  this  bird ;  a  cry  which  might  have  proved 
a  dangerous  challenge  had  any  one  of  the  athletic 
sons  of  the  squatter  been  within  hearing. 

"  This  has  been  a  regular  knock-down  and  drag- 
out,"  he  cried,  "  and  no  bones  broke  !  How  now, 
old  trapper,  you  have  been  one  of  your  training, 
platoon,  rank  and  file  soldiers  in  your  day,  and  have 
seen  forts  taken  and  batteries  stormed  before  this — 
am  I  right  ?" 

"  Ay,  ay,  that  have  I,"  answered  the  old  man,  who 
still  maintained  his  post  at  the  foot  of  the  rock,  so 
little  disturbed  by  what  he  had  just  witnessed,  as  to 
return  the  grin  of  Paul,  with  a  hearty  indulgence  in 
his  own  silent  and  peculiar  laughter;  "you  have 
gone  through  the  exploit  like  men  !" 

"  Now  tell  me,  is  it  not  in  rule,  to  call  over  the 
names  of  the  living,  and  to  bury  the  dead,  after  eve 
ry  bloody  battle  ?" 

"Some  did  and  other  some  didn't.  When  Sir 
William  push'd  the  German,  Dieskau,  thro'  the  de 
files  at  the  foot  of  the  Hori— " 

"  Your  Sir  William  was  a  drone  to  Sir  Paul,  and 
knew  nothing  of  regularity.  So  here  begins  the  roll- 
call — by-the-bye  old  man,  what  between  bee-hunting 
and  buffaloe  humps  and  certain  other  matters,  I  have 
been  too  busy  to  ask  your  name,  for  I  intend  to  begin 
U  2 


234  THE    PR4IRIE. 

with  my  rear  guard,  well  knowing  that  my  man  in 
front  is  too  busy  to  answer." 

"  Lord,  lad,  I've  been  called  in  my  time  by  as 
many  names  as  there  are  people  among  whom  I've 
dwelt.  Now,  the  Delawares  nam'd  me  for  my  eyes, 
and  I  was  called  after  the  far-sighted  hawk.  Then, 
ag1in,  the  settlers  in  the  Otsego  hills  christened  me 
anew,  from  the  fashion  of  my  leggings  ;  and  various 
have  been  the  names  by  which  I  have  gone  through 
life  ;  but  little  will  it  matter  when  the  time  shall 
come,  that  all  are  to  be  muster'd,  face  to  face,  by 
what  titles  a  mortal  has  played  his  part !  1  humbly 
trust  I  shall  be  able  to  answer  to  any  of  mine  in  a 
loud  and  manly  voice." 

Paul  paid  little  or  no  attention  to  this  reply,  more 
than  half  of  which  was  lost  in  the  distance,  but  pur 
suing  the  humour  of  the  moment,  he  called  out  in  a 
stentorian  voice  to  the  naturalist  to  answer  to  his 
name.  Dr.  Battius  had  not  thought  it  necessary  to 
push  his  success  beyond  the  comfortable  niche,  which 
accident  had  so  opportunely  formed  for  his  protec 
tion,  and  in  which  he  now  reposed  from  his  labours 
with  a  pleasing  consciousness  of  security,  added  to 
great  exultation  at  the  possession  of  the  botanical 
treasure,  already  mentioned. 

"  Mount,  mount,  my  worthy  mole-catcher !  come 
and  behold  the  prospect  of  skirting  Ishmael ;  come 
and  look  nature  boldly  in  the  face,  and  not  go  sneak 
ing  any  longer,  among  the  prairie  grass  and  mullein 
tops,  like  a  gobbler  nibbling  for  grasshoppers." 

The  mouth  of  the  light-hearted  and  reckless  bee- 
hunter  was  instantly  closed,  and  he  was  rendered  as 
mute,  as  he  had  just  been  boisterous  and  talkative, 
by  the  appearance  of  Ellen  Wade.  When  the  mel 
ancholy  maiden  took  her  seat  on  the  point  of  the 
rock  as  mentioned,  Paul  affected  to  employ  himself 
in  conducting  a  close  inspection  of  the  househo'J 
effects  of  the  squatter.  He  rummaged  the  drawt  * 


THE    PRAIRIE.  235 

01  Esther  with  no  delicate  hands,  scattered  the  rus 
tic  finery  of  her  girls  on  the  ground,  without  the 
least  deference  to  its  quality  or  elegance,  and  tossed 
her  pots  and  kettles  here  and  there,  as  though  they 
had  been  vessels  of  wood  instead  of  iron.  All  this 
industry  was  however  manifestly  without  an  object. 
He  reserved  nothing  for  himself,  not  even  appearing 
to  be  conscious  of  the  nature  of  the  articles  which 
suffered  by  his  familiarity.  When  he  had  examined 
the  inside  of  every  cabin,  taken  a  fresh  survey  of  the 
spot  where  he  had  confined  the  children,  and  where 
he  had  thoroughly  secured  them  with  cords,  and 
kicked  one  of  the  pails  of  the  woman,  like  a  foot 
ball,  fifty  feet  into  the  air,  in  sheer  wantonness,  he 
returned  to  the  edge  of  the  rock,  and  thrusting  both 
his  hands  through  his  wampum  belt,  he  began  to 
whistle  the  '  Kentucky  Hunters'  as  diligently  as  if 
he  had  been  hired  to  supply  his  auditors  with  music 
by  the  hour.  In  this  manner  passed  the  remainder 
of  the  time,  until  Middleton,  as  has  been  related,  led 
Inez  forth  from  the  tent,  and  gave  a  new  direction  to 
the  thoughts  of  the  whole  party.  He  summoned 
Paul  from  his  flourish  of  music,  tore  the  Doctor 
from  the  study  of  his  plant,  and,  as  acknowledged 
leader,  gave  the  necessary  orders  for  their  immediate 
departure. 

In  the  bustle  and  confusion  that  were  likely  to  suc 
ceed  such  a  mandate,  there  was  little  opportunity  to 
indulge  in  complaints  or  reflections.  As  the  adven 
turers  had  not  come  unprepared  for  victory,  each  in 
dividual  employed  himself  in  such  offices  as  was 
best  adapted  to  his  strength  and  situation.  The  trap 
per  had  already  made  himself  master  of  the  patient 
Asinus,  who  was  quietly  feeding  at  no  great  distance 
from  the  rock,  and  he  was  now  busy  in  fitting  his 
back  with  the  complicated  machinery  that  Dr.  Bat- 
tius  saw  fit  to  term  a  saddle  of  his  own  invention. 


236  THE    PRAIRIE 

The  naturalist  himself  seized  upon  his  port-folios, 
herbals,  and  collection  of  insects,  which  he  quickly 
transferred  from  the  encampment  of  the  squatter  to 
certain  pockets  in  the  aforesaid  ingenious  invention, 
and  which  the  trapper  as  uniformly  cast  away  the 
moment  his  back  was  turned.  Paul  shewed  his  dex 
terity  in  removing  such  light  articles  as  Inez  and 
Ellen  had  prepared  for  their  flight  to  the  foot  of  the 
citadel,  while  Middleton,  after  mingling  threats  and 
promises,  in  order  to  induce  the  children  to  remain 
quietly  in  their  bondage,  assisted  the  females  to  de 
scend.  As  time  began  to  press  upon  them,  and  there 
was  great  danger  of  Ishmael's  returning,  these  seve 
ral  movements  were  made  with  singular  industry  and 
despatch. 

The  trapper  bestowed  such  articles  as  he  conceiv 
ed  were  necessary  to  the  comfort  of  the  weaker  and 
more  delicate  members  of  the  party  in  those  pock 
ets,  from  which  he  had  so  unceremoniously  expelled 
the  treasures  of  the  unconscious  naturalist,  and  then 
gave  way  for  Middleton  to  place  Inez  in  one  of  those 
seats,  which  he  had  prepared  on  the  back  of  the 
animal  for  her  and  her  companion. 

"  Go,  child,"  the  old  man  said,  motioning  to  Ellen 
to  follow  the  example  of  the  lady,  and  turning  his 
head  a  little  anxiously  to  examine  the  waste  behind 
him.  "  It  cannot  be  long  afore  the  owner  of  this 
place  will  be  coming  to  look  after  his  household  ; 
and  he  is  not  a  man  to  give  up  his  property,  however 
obtained,  without  complaint !" 

"  It  is  true,"  cried  Middleton  ;  "  we  have  wasted 
moments  that  are  precious,  and  have  the  utmost 
need  of  all  our  industry." 

"  Ay,  ay,  I  thought  it ;  and  would  have  said  it, 
captain ;  but  I  remembered  how  your  grand'ther 
used  to  love  to  look  upon  the  face  of  her  he  led 
away  for  a  wife,  in  the  days  of  his  youth  and  his 


THE    PRAIRIE.  237 

happiness.  'Tis  natur',  'tis  natur',  and  His  wiser  to 
give  way  a  little  before  its  feelings,  than  to  try  to 
stop  a  current  that  will  have  its  course." 

Ellen  advanced  to  the  side  of  the  beast,  and  seiz 
ing  Inez  by  the  hand,  she  said,  with  heart-felt 
warmth,  after  struggling  to  suppress  an  emotion  that 
nearly  choked  her — 

"  God  bless  you,  sweet  lady !  I  hope  you  will  for 
get  and  forgive  the  wrongs  you  have  received  from 
my  uncle — " 

The  humbled  and  sorrowful  girl  could  say  no 
more,  her  voice  becoming  entirely  inaudible  in  an 
ungovernable  burst  of  grief. 

"  How  is  this  ?"  cried  Middleton ;  "  did  you  not 
say,  Inez,  that  this  excellent  young  woman  was  to 
accompany  us,  and  to  live  with  us  for  the  remainder 
of  her  life ;  or,  at  least,  until  she  found  some  more 
agreeable  residence  for  herself?" 

"  I  did  ;  and  I  still  hope  it.  She  has  always  given 
me  reason  to  believe,  that  after  having  shown  so 
much  commiseration  and  friendship  in  my  misery, 
she  would  not  desert  me,  should  happier  times  re 
turn." 

"  I  cannot — I  ought  not,"  continued  Ellen,  getting 
the  better  of  her  momentary  weakness.  "  It  has 
pleased  God  to  cast  my  lot  among  these  people,  and 
I  ought  not  to  quit  them.  It  would  be  adding  the 
appearance  of  treachery  to  what  will  already  seem 
bad  enough,  with  one  of  his  opinions.  He  has  been 
kind  to  me,  an  orphan,  after  his  rough  customs,  and 
I  cannot  steal  from  him  at  such  a  moment." 

"  She  is  just  as  much  a  relation  of  skirting  Ish- 
mael,  as  I  am  a  bishop  !"  said  Paul,  with  a  loud  hem, 
as  if  his  throat  wanted  clearing.  "  If  the  old  fellow 
has  done  the  honest  thing  by  her  in  giving  her  a  mor 
sel  of  venison,  now  and  then,  or  a  spoon  around  hiy 
homminy  dish,  hasn't  she  pay'd  him  in  teaching  the 
young  devils  to  read  their  bible,  or  in  helping  old 


238  THE    PRAIRIE. 

Esther  to  put  her  finery  in  some  shape  and  fashion, 
Tell  me  that  a  drone  has  a  sting,  and  I'll  believe  you 
as  easily  as  I  will  that  this  young  woman  is  a  debtor 
to  any  of  the  tribe  of  Bushl" 

"  It  is  but  little  matter  who  owes  me,  or  where  I 
am  in  debt.  There  are  none  to  care  for  a  girl  who 
is  fatherless  and  motherless,  and  whose  nearest  kin 
are  the  offcasts  of  all  honest  people.  No,  no  ;  go, 
lady,  and  Heaven  for  ever  bless  you  !  I  am  better 
here,  in  this  desert,  where  there  are  none  to  know 
my  shame." 

"  Now,  old  trapper,"  retorted  Paul,  "  this  is  what 
I  call  knowing  which  way  the  wind  blows  !  You  ar' 
a  man  that  has  seen  life,  and  you  know  something  ol 
fashions  ;  I  put  it  to  your  judgment,  plainly,  isn't  it 
in  the  nature  of  things  for  the  hive  to  swarm  when 
the  young  get  their  growth,  and  if  children  will  quit 
their  parents,  ought  one  who  is  of  no  kith  nor  kin — " 

"Hist !"  interrupted  the  man  he  addressed,  "  Hec 
tor  is  discontented.  Say  it  out,  plainly,  pup  ;  what 
is  it  dog — what  is  it  ?" 

The  venerable  hound  had  risen,  and  was  scenting 
the  fresh  breeze  which  continued  to  sweep  heavily 
over  the  prairie.  At  the  words  of  his  master  he 
growled  and  contracted  the  muscles  of  his  lips,  as  if 
half  disposed  to  threaten  with  the  remnants  of  his 
teeth.  The  younger  dog,  who  was  resting  after  the 
chace  of  the  morning,  also  made  some  signs  that  his 
nose  detected  a  taint  in  the  air,  and  then  the  two 
resumed  their  slumbers,  as  though  they  had  done 
enough. 

The  trapper  seized  the  bridle  of  the  ass  and  cri 
ed,  as  he  urged  the  beast  onward — 

"  There  is  no  time  for  words.  The  squatter  and 
his  brood  are  within  a  mile  or  two  of  this  blessed 
spot." 

Middleton  lost  all  recollection  of  Ellen,  in  the 
danger  which  now  so  imminently  beset  his  recovered 


THE    PRAIRIE.  239 

bride  again,  nor  is  it  necessary  to  add  that  Dr.  Bat- 
tius  did  not  wait  for  a  second  admonition  to  com 
mence  his  retreat. 

Following  the  route  indicated  by  the  old  man, 
they  turned  the  rock  in  a  body,  and  pursued  their 
way  as  fast  as  possible  across  the  prairie,  under  the 
favour  of  the  cover  the  light  afforded. 

Paul  Hover,  however,  remained  in  his  tracks,  sul 
lenly  leaning  on  his  rifle.  Near  a  minute  had  elapsed 
before  he  was  observed  by  Ellen,  who  had  buried 
her  face  in  her  hands,  as  if  to  conceal  her  fancied 
desolation  from  herself. 

"  Why  do  you  not  fly  ?"  the  weeping  girl  exclaim 
ed,  the  instant  she  perceived  that  she  was  not  alone. 

"  Pm  not  used  to  it." 

"  My  uncle  will  soon  be  here  !  you  have  nothing 
to  hope  from  his  pity." 

"  Nor  from  that  of  his  niece,  I  reckon.  Let  him 
come  ;  he  can  only  knock  me  on  the  head" 

"  Paul,  Paul,  if  you  love  me,  fly." 

"  Alone  !— if  I  do  may  I  be—." 

"  If  you  value  your  life,  fly  !" 

"  I  value  it  not,  compared  to  you." 

"Paul!" 

"  Ellen !" 

She  extended  both  her  hands  and  burst  into  an 
other  and  a  still  more  violent  flood  of  tears.  The 
bee-hunter  put  one  of  his  sturdy  arms  around  her 
thin  waist,  and  in  another  moment  he  was  urging 
her  over  the  plain,  in  rapid  pursuit  of  their  flying 
friends. 


( 

THE    PRAIRIE. 


CHAPTER  XVII. 

41  Approach  the  chamber,  and  destroy  your  sight 
With  a  new  Gorgon  : — Do  not  bid  me  speak ; 
See,  and  then  speak  yourselves." 

Shakspeare. 

THE  little  run,  which  supplied  the  family  of  the 
squatter  with  water,  and  had  nourished  the  trees  and 
bushes  that  had  grown  near  the  base  of  the  rocky 
eminence,  took  its  rise  at  no  great  distance  from  the 
latter,  in  a  small  thicket  of  cotton-wood  and  vines. 
Hither,  then,  the  trapper  directed  the  flight,  as  to  the 
place  affording  the  only  available  cover  in  so  press 
ing  an  emergency.  It  will  be  remembered,  that  the 
sagacity  of  the  old  man,  which,  from  long  practice 
in  similar  scenes,  amounted  nearly  to  an  instinct  in 
all  cases  of  sudden  danger,  had  first  induced  him  to 
take  this  course,  as  it  placed  the  hill  between  them 
and  the  approaching  party  of  their  enemies.  Fa 
voured  by  this  circumstance  he  succeeded  in  reach 
ing  the  bushes  in  sufficient  time,  and  Paul  Hover 
had  just  hurried  the  breathless  Ellen  into  the  tan 
gled  brush,  as  Ishmael  gained  the  summit  of  the 
rock,  in  the  manner  already  described,  where  he 
stood  like  a  man  momentarily  bereft  of  his  senses, 
gazing  at  the  confusion  which  had  been  created 
among  his  chatties,  or  at  his  gagged  and  bound  chil 
dren,  who  had  been  safely  bestowed  by  the  fore 
thought  of  the  bee-hunter  under  the  cover  of  a  bark 
roof,  in  a  sort  of  irregular  pile.  A  long  rifle  would 
have  thrown  a  bullet  from  the  height,  on  which  the 
squatter  now  stood,  into  the  very  cover  where  the 
fugitives,  who  had  wrought  all  this  mischief,  were 
clustered. 

The  trapper  was  the  first  to  speak,  as  the  man  on 
whose  intelligence  and  experience  they  all  depended 


THE    PRAIRIE.  241 

for  counsel,  after  running  his  eye,  over  the  different 
individuals  who  gathered  about  him,  in  order  to  see 
that  none  were  missing. 

"  Ah !  natur'  is  natur',  and  has  done  its  work  !" 
he  said,  nodding  to  the  exulting  Paul,  with  a  smile 
of  approbation.  "  I  thought  it  would  be  hard  for 
those,  who  had  so  often  met  in  fair  and  foul,  by  star 
light  and  under  the  clouded  moon,  to  part  at  last  in 
anger.  Now  is  there  little  time  to  lose  in  talk,  and 
every  thing  to  gain  by  industry  !  It  cannot  be  long 
afore  some  of  yonder  brood  will  be  nosing  along  the 
'arth  for  our  trail,  and  should  they  find  it,  as  find  it 
they  surely  will,  and  should  they  push  us  to  stand  on 
our  courage,  the  dispute  must  be  settled  with  the 
rifle ;  which  may  He  in  heaven  forbid !  Captain, 
can  you  lead  us  to  the  place  where  any  of  your  war 
riors  lie  ? — For  the  stout  sons  of  the  squatter  will 
make  a  manly  brush  of  it,  or  I  am  but  little  of  a 
judge  in  warlike  dispositions  !" 

"  The  place  of  rendezvous  is  many  leagues  from 
this  on  the  banks  of  La  Platte." 

"  It  is  bad — it  is  bad.  If  fighting  is  to  be  done,  it 
is  always  wise  to  enter  on  it  on  equal  terms.  But 
what  has  one  so  near  his  time  to  do  with  ill-blood 
and  hot-blood  at  his  heart !  Listen  to  what  a  gray 
head  and  some  experience  have  to  offer,  and  then  if 
any  among  you  can  point  out  a  wiser  fashion  for  a 
retreat,  we  can  just  follow  his  design,  and  forget  that 
I  have  spoken.  This  thicket  stretches  for  near  a 
mile,  as  it  may  be  slanting,  from  the  rock,  and  leads 
towards  the  sunset  instead  of  the  settlements." 

"Enough,  enough,"  cried  Middleton,  too  impa 
tient  to  wait  until  the  deliberative  and  perhaps  lo 
quacious  old  man  could  end  his  minute  explanation 
"  Time  is  too  precious  for  words.  Let  us  fly." 

The  trapper  made  a  gesture  of  compliance,  and 
turning  in  his  tracks,  he  led  Asinus  across  the  trem- 
bjinor  earth  of  the  swale  and  quickly  emerged  on  the 

A. 


242  THE    PRAIRIE. 

hard  ground,  on  the  side  opposite  to  the  encamp- 
ment  of  the  squatter. 

"  If  old  Ishmael  gets  a  squint  at  that  highway 
through  the  brush,"  cried  Paul,  casting,  as  he  left 
the  place,  a  hasty  glance  at  the  broad  trail  the  parly 
had  made  through  the  thicket,  "  he'll  need  no  finger* 
board  to  tell  him  which  way  his  road  lies.  But  let 
him  follow !  I  know  the  vagabond  would  gladly 
cross  his  breed  with  a  little  honest  blood,  but  if  any 
son  of  his  ever  gets  to  be  the  husband  of — " 

"  Hush,  Paul,  hush,"  said  the  blushing  and  terrifi 
ed  young  woman,  who  leaned  on  his  arm  for  support , 
"  your  voice  might  be  heard." 

The  bee-hunter  was  silent,  though  he  did  not  cease 
to  cast  certain  ominous  looks  behind  him,  as  they 
flew  along  the  edge  of  the  run,  which  sufficiently  be 
trayed  the  belligerent  condition  of  his  mind.  As 
each  one  was  busy  for  himself,  but  a  few  minutes 
elapsed  before  the  party  rose  a  swell  of  the  prairie 
and  descending  without  a  moment's  delay  on  the  op 
posite  side,  they  were  at  once  removed  from  every 
danger  of  being  seen  by  the  sons  of  Ishmael,  unless 
the  pursuers  should  happen  to  fall  upon  their  trail. 
The  old  man  now  profited  by  the  formation  of  the 
land  to  take  another  direction,  with  a  view  to  elude 
pursuit,  as  a  vessel  changes  her  course  in  fogs  and 
darkness,  to  escape  from  the  vigilance  of  her  ene 
mies. 

Two  hours,  passed  in  the  utmost  diligence,  had 
enabled  them  to  make  a  half  circuit  around  the 
rock,  and  to  reach  a  point  that  was  exactly  opposite 
to  the  original  direction  of  their  flight.  To  most  of 
the  fugitives  their  situation  was  as  entirely  unknown 
as  is  that  of  a  ship  in  the  middle  of  the  ocean  to  the 
uninstructed  voyager :  but  the  old  man  proceeded  at 
every  turn,  and  through  every  bottom,  with  a  deci 
sion  that  inspired  his  followers  with  confidence,  as  it 
spoke  favourably  of  his  own  knowledge  of  the  local- 


THE    PRAIRIE.  243 

ities.  His  hound,  stopping  now  and  then,  to  catch 
the  expression  of  his  eye,  had  preceded  the  trapper 
throughout  the  whole  distance,  with  as  much  certain 
ty  as  though  a  previous  and  intelligible  communion 
between  them  had  established  the  route  by  which 
they  were  to  proceed.  But  at  the  expiration  of  the 
time  just  named,  the  dog  suddenly  came  to  a  stand, 
and  then  seating  himself  on  the  prairie,  he  snuffed 
the  air  a  moment,  and  began  a  low  and  piteous 
whining. 

"  Ay — pup — ay.  I  know  the  spot — I  know  the 
spot,  and  reason  there  is  to  remember  it  well !"  said 
the  old  man,  stopping  by  the  side  of  his  uneasy  asso 
ciate,  until  those  who  followed  had  time  to  come  up. 
"  Now,  yonder,  is  a  thicket  before  us,"  he  continued, 
pointing  forward,  "  where  we  may  lie  till  tall  trees 
grow  on  these  naked  fields,  afore  any  of  the  squat 
ter's  kin  will  venture  to  molest  us." 

"  This  is  the  spot,  where  the  body  of  the  dead 
man  lay !"  cried  Middleton,  examining  the  place 
with  an  eye  that  revolted  at  the  recollection. 

"  The  very  same.  But  whether  his  friends  have 
put  him  in  the  bosom  of  the  ground  or  not,  remains 
to  be  seen.  The  hound  knows  the  scent,  but  seems 
to  be  a  little  at  a  loss,  too.  It  is  therefore  necessary 
that  you  advance,  friend  bee-hunter,  to  examine, 
while  I  tarry  to  keep  the  dogs  from  complaining  in 
too  loud  a  voice." 

"  I !"  exclaimed  Paul,  thrusting  his  hand  into  his 
shaggy  locks,  like  one  who  thought  it  prudent  to  hes 
itate  before  he  undertook  so  formidable  an  adven 
ture  ;  "  Now  heark'ee,  old  trapper  ;  I've  stood  in  my 
thinnest  cottons  in  the  midst  of  many  a  swarm  that 
has  lost  its  queen-bee,  without  winking,  and  let  me 
tell  you,  the  man  wno  can  do  that,  is  not  likely  to 
fear  any  living  son  of  skirting  Ishmael ;  but  as  to 
meddling  with  dead  men's  bones,  why  it  is  neither 
my  calling  nor  my  inclination  ;  so,  after  thanking 


244  THE    PRAIRIE. 

you  for  the  favour  of  your  choice,  as  they  say,  when 
they  make  a  man  a  corporal  in  the  Kentucky  militia, 
I  decline  serving." 

The  old  man  turned  a  disappointed  look  towards 
Middleton,  who  was  too  much  occupied  in  solacing 
Inez  to  observe  his  embarrassment,  which  was,  how 
ever,  suddenly  relieved  from  a  quarter,  whence,  from 
previous  circumstances,  there  was  little  reason  to 
expect  such  a  demonstration  of  fortitude. 

Doctor  Battius  had  rendered  himself  a  little  re 
markable,  throughout  the  whole  of  the  preceding  re 
treat,  for  the  exceeding  diligence  with  which  he  had 
laboured  to  effect  that  desirable  object.  So  very  con 
spicuous  was  his  zeal  indeed,  as  to  have  entirely  got 
ten  the  better  of  all  his  ordinary  predilections.  The 
worthy  naturalist  belonged  to  that  species  of  discov 
erers,  who  make  the  worst  possible  travelling-com 
panions  to  a  man  who  has  reason  to  be  in  a  hurry. 
No  stone,  no  bush,  no  plant  is  ever  suffered  to  es 
cape  the  examination  of  their  vigilant  eyes,  and 
thunder  may  mutter,  and  rain  fall,  without  disturbing 
the  pleasing  abstraction  of  their  reveries.  Not  so, 
however,  with  the  disciple  of  Linnaeus,  during  the 
momentous  period  that  it  remained  a  mooted  point 
at  the  tribunal  of  his  better  judgment,  whether  the 
stout  descendants  of  the  squatter  were  not  likely  to 
dispute  his  right  to  traverse  the  prairie  in  freedom. 
The  highest  blooded  and  best  trained  hound,  with 
his  game  in  view,  could  not  have  run  with  an  eye 
more  riveted  than  that  with  which  the  Doctor  had 
pursued  his  curvilinear  course.  It  was  perhaps  lucky 
for  his  fortitude  that  he  was  ignorant  of  the  artifice 
of  the  trapper  in  leading  them  around  the  citadel  of 
Ishmael,  and  that  he  had  imbibed  the  soothing  im 
pression  that  every  inch  of  prairie  he  traversed  was 
just  so  much  added  to  the  distance  between  his  own 
person  and  the  detested  rock.  Notwithstanding  the 
momentary  shock  he  certainly  experienced,  when  he 


THE    PKAIRIE.  245 

discovered  this  error,  he  was  the  man  who  now  so 
boldly  volunteered  to  enter  the  thicket  in  which 
there  was  some  reason  to  believe  the  body  of  the. 
murdered  Asa  still  lay.  Perhaps  the  naturalist  was 
urged  to  show  his  spirit,  on  this  occasion,  by  some 
secret  consciousness  that  his  excessive  industry  in  the 
retreat  might  be  liable  to  misconstruction ;  and  it  is 
certain  that,  whatever  might  be  his  peculiar  notions 
of  danger  from  the  quick,  his  habits  and  his  know 
ledge  had  placed  him  far  above  the  apprehension  of 
suffering  harm  from  any  communication  with  the 
dead. 

"  If  there  is  any  service  to  be  performed,  which 
requires  the  perfect  command  of  the  nervous  sys 
tem,"  said  the  man  of  science,  with  a  look  that  was 
slightly  blustering,  "  you  have  only  to  give  a  direc 
tion  to  his  intellectual  faculties,  and  here  stands  one  on 
whose  physical  powers  you  may  depend." 

"  The  man  is  given  to  speak  in  parables,"  mutter 
ed  the  single-minded  trapper,  "but  I  conclude  there 
is  always  some  meaning  hidden  in  his  words,  though 
it  is  as  hard  to  find  sense  in  his  speeches,  as  to  dis 
cover  three  eagles  on  the  same  tree.  It  will  be  wise, 
friend,  to  make  a  cover,  lest  the  sons  of  the  squatter 
should  be  out  skirting  on  our  trail,  and,  as  you  well 
know,  there  is  some  reason  to  fear  yonder  thicket 
contains  a  sight  that  may  horrify  a  woman's  mind. 
Are  you  man  enough  to  look  death  in  the  face;  or 
shall  I  run  the  risk  of  the  hounds  raising  an  outcry, 
and  go  in  myself?  You  see  the  pup  is  willing  to  run 
with  an  open  mouth,  already." 

"  Am  I  man  enough  1  Venerable  trapper,  our 
communications  have  a  recent  origin,  or  thy  inter 
rogatory  might  have  a  tendency  to  embroil  us  in  an 
angry  disputation.  Am  I  man  enough1?  I  claim  to 
be  of  the  class,  mammalia ;  order,  primates ;  genus^ 
homo  !  such  are  my  physical  attributes  ;  of  my  moral 
X  2 


246  THE    PRAIRIE. 

properties,  let  posterity  speak ;  it  becomes  me  to 
be  mute." 

"  Physic  may  do  for  such  as  relish  it ;  to  my  taste 
and  judgment  it  is  neither  palatable  nor  healthy ;  but 
morals  never  did  harm  to  any  living  mortal,  be  it 
that  he  was  a  sojourner  in  the  forest  or  a  dweller  in 
the  midst  of  glazed  windows  and  smoking  chimneys. 
It  is  only  a  few  hard  words  that  divide  us,  friend, 
for  I  am  of  an  opinion  that,  with  use  and  freedom, 
we  should  come  to  understand  one  another,  and 
mainly  settle  down  into  the  same  judgments  of  man- 
kind,  and  of  the  ways  of  the  world.  Quiet,  Hector, 
quiet ;  what  ruffles  your  temper,  pup  ;  is  it  not  used 
to  the  scent  of  human  blood  ?" 

The  Doctor  bestowed  a  gracious  but  commisera 
ting  smile  on  the  philosopher  of  nature,  as  he  retro 
graded  a  step  or  two  from  the  place  whither  he  had 
been  impelled  by  his  excess  of  spirit,  in  order  to  re 
ply  with  less  expenditure  of  breath  and  with  a  great 
er  freedom  of  air  and  attitude. 

"  A  homo  is  certainly  a  homo,"  he  said,  stretching 
forth  an  arm  in  an  imposing  and  argumentative  man 
ner  ;  "  so  far  as  the  animal  functions  extend,  there 
are  the  connecting  links  of  harmony,  order,  conform 
ity  and  design  between  the  whole  genus ;  but  there 
the  resemblance  ends.  Man  may  be  degraded  to  the 
very  margin  of  the  line  which  separates  him  from 
the  brute,  by  ignorance ;  or  he  may  be  elevated  to  a 
communion  with  the  great  master-spirit  of  all,  by 
knowledge  ;  nay  I  know  not,  if  time  and  opportunity 
were  given  him,  but  he  might  become  the  master  of 
all  learning,  and  consequently  equal  to  the  great 
moving  principle." 

The  old  man,  who  stood  leaning  on  his  rifle  in 
a  thoughtful  attitude,  shook  his  head,  as  he  answered 
with  a  native  steadiness,  that  entirely  eclipsed  the 
imposing  air  which  his  antagonist  had  seen  fit  to  as 
sume — 


THE    PRAIRIE.  247 

«  This  is  neither  more  than  less  than  mortal  wick 
edness  !  Here  have  I  been  a  dweller  on  the  earth 
for  fourscore  and  six  changes  of  the  seasons,  and  all 
that  time  have  I  look'd  at  the  growing  and  the  dying 
trees,  and  yet  do  I  not  know  the  reasons  why  the  bud 
starts  under  the  summer  sun,  or  the  leaf  falls  when 
it  is  pinched  by  the  frosts.  Your  Taming,  though  it 
is  man's  boast,  is  folly  in  the  eyes  of  Him,  who  sits 
in  the  clouds,  and  looks  down,  in  sorrow,  at  the  pride 
and  vanity  of  his  creatures.  Many  is  the  hour  that 
I've  passed,  lying  in  the  shades  of  the  woods,  or 
stretoh'd  upon  the  hills  of  these  open  fields,  looking 
up  into  the  blue  skies,  where  I  could  fancy  the  Great 
One  had  taken  his  stand,  and  was  solemnizing  on  the 
waywardness  of  man  and  brute,  below,  as  1  myself 
had  often  look'd  at  the  ants  tumbling  over  each  other 
in  their  eagerness,  though  in  a  way  and  a  fashion 
more  suited  to  His  mightiness  and  power.  Know 
ledge  1  It  is  his  plaything.  Say,  you  who  think  it 
§o  easy  to  climb  into  the  judgment-seat  above,  can 
you  tell  me  any  thing  of  the  beginning  and  the  end  ? 
Nay,  you're  a  dealer  in  ailings  and  cures :  what  is 
life,  and  what  is  death  ?  Why  does  the  eagle  live  so 
long,  and  why  is  the  time  of  the  butterfly  so  short  ? 
Tell  me  a  simpler  thing :  why  is  this  hound  so  un 
easy,  while  you,  who  have  passed  your  days  in  look 
ing  into  books,  can  see  no  reason  to  be  disturbed  ?" 

The  Doctor,  who  had  been  a  little  astounded  by 
the  dignity  and  energy  of  the  old  man,  drew  a  long 
breath,  like  a  sullen  wrestler  who  is  just  released 
from  the  throttling  grasp  of  his  antagonist,  and  seiz 
ed  on  the  opportunity  of  the  pause  to  reply — 

"  It  is  his  instinct." 

"  And  what  is  the  gift  of  instinct  ?" 

"  An  inferior  gradation  of  reason.  A  sort  of  rnyg* 
fcerious  combination  of  thought  and  matter." 

**  And  what  is  that  which  you  call  thought  ?" 


248  THE    PRAIRIE. 

"  Venerable  venator,  this  is  a  method  of  reasoning 
which  sets  at  nought  the  uses  of  definitions,  and 
such  as  I  do  assure  you  is  not  at  all  tolerated  in  the 
schools." 

"  Then  is  there  more  cunning  in  your  schools  than 
I  had  thought,  for  it  is  a  certain  method  of  showing 
them  their  vanity  ;"  returned  the  trapper,  suddenly 
abandoning  a  discussion,  from  which  the  naturalist 
was  just  beginning  to  anticipate  great  delight,  by 
turning  to  his  dog,  whose  restlessness  he  attempted 
to  appease  by  playing  with  his  ears.  "  This  is  fool 
ish,  Hector ;  more  like  an  untrained  pup  than  a  sen 
sible  hound  ;  one  who  has  got  his  education  by  hard 
experience,  and  not  by  nosing  over  the  trails  of  other 
dogs,  as  a  boy  in  the  settlements  follows  on  the  track 
of  his  masters,  be  it  right  or  be  it  wrong.  Well, 
friend ;  you  who  can  do  so  much,  are  you  equal  to 
looking  into  the  thicket?  or  must  I  go  in  myself?" 

The  Doctor  again  assumed  his  air  of  resolution, 
and,  without  further  parlance,  proceeded  to  do  as 
desired.  The  dogs  were  so  far  restrained,  by  the  re- , 
monstrances  of  the  old  man,  as  to  confine  their  noise 
to  low  but  often-repeated  whinings.  When  they  saw 
the  naturalist  advance,  the  pup,  however,  broke 
through  all  restraint,  and  made  a  swift  circuit  around 
his  person,  scenting  the  earth  as  he  proceeded,  and 
then,  returning  to  his  companion,  he  howled  aloud. 

"  The  squatter  and  his  brood  have  left  a  strong 
scent  on  the  earth,"  said  the  old  man,  watching  as  he 
spoke  for  some  signal  from  his  learned  pioneer  to 
follow;  "I  hope  yonder-school  bred  man  knows 
enough  to  remember  the  errand  on  which  I  have 
sent  him." 

Doctor  Battius  had  already  disappeared  in  the 
bushes,  and  the  trapper  was  beginning  to  betray  ad 
ditional  evidences  of  impatience,  when  the  person  of 
the  former  was  seen  retiring  from  the  thicket  back- 


THE   PRAIRIE.  249 

wards,  with  his  face  fastened  on  the  place  he  had 
just  left  as  though  his  look  was  bound  in  the  thral 
dom  of  some  charm. 

"  Here  is  something  skeary,  by  the  wildness  of  the 
creatur's  countenance !"  exclaimed  the  old  man  re 
linquishing  his  hold  of  Hector,  and  moving  stoutly  to 
the  side  of  the  totally  unconscious  naturalist.  "  How 
is  it,  friend  ;  have  you  found  a  new  leaf  in  your  book 
of  wisdom  ?" 

"  It  is  a  basilisk  !"  muttered  the  Doctor,  whose 
altered  visage  betrayed  the  utter  confusion  which 
had  beset  his  faculties.  "An  animal  of  the  order 
serpens.  I  had  thought  its  attributes  were  fabulous, 
but  mighty  nature  is  equal  to  all  that  man  can 
imagine  !" 

"  What  is't  1  what  is't  1  The  snakes  of  the  prai 
ries  are  harmless,  unless  it  be  now  and  then  an  an 
gered  rattler,  and  he  always  gives  you  notice  with  his 
tail,  afore  he  works  his  mischief  with  his  fangs. 
Lord,  Lord,  what  a  humbling  thing  is  fear  !  Here  is 
one  who  in  common  delivers  words  too  big  for  a 
humble  mouth  to  hold,  so  much  beside  himself,  that 
his  voice  is  as  shrill  as  the  whistle  of  the  whip-poor- 
will  !  Courage  !  what  is  it,  man  ?  what  is  it  V 

"  A  prodigy  !  a  lusus  naturas !  a  monster,  that  na 
ture  has  delighted  to  form  in  order  to  exhibit  her 
power  !  Never  before  have  I  witnessed  such  an  ut 
ter  confusion  in  her  laws,  or  a  specimen  that  so  com 
pletely  bids  defiance  to  the  distinctions  of  class  and 
genera.  Let  me  record  its  appearance,"  fumbling 
for  his  tablets  with  hands  that  trembled  too  much  to 
perform  their  office,  *'  while  time  and  opportunity 
are  allowed — eyes,  enthralling ;  colour,  various,  com 
plex,  and  profound — " 

"  One  would  think  the  man  was  crazed,  with  his 
enthralling  looks  and  pieball'd  colours !"  interrupt 
ed  the  discontented  trapper,  who  began  to  grow  a 
little  uneasy  that  his  party  was  all  this  time  neglect- 


250  THE  PRAIRIE. 

ing  to  seek  the  protection  of  some  cover.  "  If  there 
is  a  reptile  in  the  brush,  show  me  the  creatur',  and 
should  it  refuse  to  depart  peaceably,  why  there  must 
be  a  quarrel  for  the  possession  of  the  place." 

u  There !"  said  the  Doctor,  pointing  into  a  dense 
mass  of  the  thicket,  to  a  spot  within  fifty  feet  of  where 
they  both  stood.  The  trapper  turned  his  look,  with 
perfect  composure,  in  the  required  direction,  but  the 
instant  his  keen  and  practised  glance  met  the  object 
which  had  so  utterly  upset  the  philosophy  of  the 
naturalist,  he  gave  a  start  himself,  and  threw  his  rifle 
rapidly  forward,  and  as  instantly  recovered  it,  as 
though  a  second  flash  of  thought  convinced  him  he 
was  wrong.  Neither  the  instinctive  movement  nor 
the  sudden  recollection  was  without  a  sufficient  oS- 
ject.  At  the  very  margin  of  the  thicket,  and  in  ab 
solute  contact  with  the  earth,  lay  an  animate  ball, 
that  might  easily,  by  the  singularity  and  fierceness  ot 
its  aspect,  have  justified  the  disturbed  condition  of 
the  naturalist's  mind.  It  were  difficult  to  describe 
the  shape  or  colours  of  this  extraordinary  substance, 
except  to  say,  in  general  terms,  that  it  was  nearly 
spherical,  and  exhibited  all  the  hues  of  the  rainbow, 
intermingled  without  reference  to  harmony,  and 
without  any  very  ostensible  design.  The  predomi 
nant  hues  were  a  black  and  a  bright  vermilion. 
With,  these,  however,  the  several  tints  of  white,  yel 
low,  and  crimson,  were  strangely  and  wildly  blended. 
Had  this  been  all,  it  would  have  been  difficult  to 
have  pronounced  that  the  object  was  possessed  of 
life,  for  it  lay  as  motionless  as  any  stone ;  but  a  pair 
of  dark,  glaring,  and  moving  eyeballs  which  watched 
with  jealousy  the  smallest  movements  of  the  trapper 
and  his  companion,  sufficiently  established  the  impor 
tant  fact  of  its  possessing  vitality. 

I"  Your  reptile  is  a  scouter,  or  I'm  no  judge  of  In 
dian  paints  and  Indian  deviltries  !"  muttered  the  old 
man,  dropping  the  butt  of  his  weapon  to  the  ground. 


THE    PRAIRIE.  251 

and  gazing  with  a  steady  eye  at  the  frightful' object Jv 
as  he  leaned  on  its  barrel,  in  an  attitude  of  great/ 
composure.     "  He  wants  to  face  us  out  of  sight  ana  '-' 
reason,  and  make  us  think  the  head  of  a  red-skin  id 
a  stone  covered  with  the  autumn  leaf;  or  he  haq 
some  other  devilish  artifice  in  his  mind  *" 

"  Is  the  animal  human  ?"  demanded  the  Doctor, 
"  of  the  genus,  homo  ?  I  had  fancied  it  a  non-de- 
script," 

"  iFs  as  human,  and  as  mortal  too,  as  a  warrior  of 
these  prairies  is  ever  known  to  be.  I  have  seen  the 
time  when  a  red-skin  would  have  shewn  a  foolish 
daring  to  peep  out  of  his  ambushment  in  that  fashion 
on  a  hunter  I  could  name,  but  who  is  too  old  now, 
and  too  near  his  time,  to  be  any  thing  better  than  a 
miserable  trapper.  It  will  be  well  to  speak  to  the 
imp,  and  to  let  him  know  he  deals  with  men  whose 
beards  are  grown.  Come  forth  from  your  cover, 
friend,"  he  continued  in  the  language  of  the  exten 
sive  tribes  of  the  Dahcotahs ;  "  there  is  room  on  the 
prairie  for  another  warrior/' 

Tne  eyes  appeared  to  glare  more  fiercely  than 
oefore,  but  the  mass  which,  according  to  the  trap 
per's  opinion,  was  neither  more  nor  less  than  a  hu 
man  head,  shorn,  as  usual  among  the  warriors  of  the 
west,  of  its  hair,  still  continued  without  motion  or 
any  other  sign  of  life. 

"  It  is  a  mistake  !"  exclaimed  the  Doctor.  "  The 
animal  is  not  even  of  the  dass^  Mammalia,  much 
less  a  man."" 

u  So  much  for  your  knowledge  t"  returned  the 
trapper,  laughing  with  great  inward  exultation.  "  So 
much  for  the  Taming  of  one  who  has  lookM  into  so 
many  books,  that  his  eyes  are  not  able  to  tell  a  moose 
from  a  wild-cat  Now  my  Hector,  here,  is  a  dog  of 
education  after  his  fashion,  and,  though  the  meanest 
primer  in  the  settlements  would  puzzle  his  infor 
mation,  you  could  not  cheat  the  hound  in  a  matter 


252  THE    PRAIRIE. 

like  this.  As  you  think  the  object  an't  a  man,  you 
shall  see  his  whole  formation,  and  then  let  an  igno 
rant  old  trapper,  who  never  willingly  pass'd  a  day 
within  reach  of  a  spelling-book  in  his  life,  know  by 
what  name  to  call  it.  Mind,  I  mean  no  violence  f 
but  just  to  start  the  devil  from  his  ambushment." 

The  trapper  now  very  deliberately  examined  the 
priming  of  his  rifle,  taking  care  to  make  as  great  a 
parade  as  possible  of  his  hostile  intentions,  in  going 
through  the  necessary  evolutions  with  the  weapon. 
When  he  thought  the  stranger  began  to  apprehend 
some  danger,  he  very  deliberately  presented  the 
piece,  and  called  aloud — 

u  Now,  friend,  I  am  all  for  peace,  or  all  for  war,  as 
you  may  say.  No  !  well  it  is  no  man,  as  the  wiser 
one,  here,  says,  and  there  can  be  no  harm  in  jusi 
firing  into  a  bunch  of  leaves." 

The  muzzle  of  the  rifle  fell  as  he  concluded,  and 
the  weapon  was  gradually  settling  into  a  steady,  and 
what  would  easily  have  proved  a  fatal  aim,  when  a 
tall  Indian  sprang  from  beneath  that  bed  of  leaves 
iand  brush,  which  he  had  probably  collected  about 
his  person  at  the  approach  of  the  party,  and  stood 
upright,  uttering  the  sententious  exclamation, 

«  Wagh  I" 


THE    PRAIRIE.  253 


CHAPTER  XVIII. 


"My  visor  is  Philemon's  roof;  within  the  house 
is  Jove." 

Shakspearc. 

THE  trapper,  who  had  meditated  no  violence,  drop 
ped  his  rifle  again,  and  laughing  at  the  success  of  his 
experiment,  with  great  seeming  self-complacency,  he 
drew  the  astounded  gaze  of  the  naturalist  from  the 
person  of  the  savage  to  himself,  by  saying — 

"  The  imps  will  lie  for  hours,  like  sleeping  alli 
gators,  brooding  their  deviltries  in  dreams  and  other 
craftiness,  until  such  time  as  they  see  some  real 
danger  is  at  hand,  and  then  they  look  to  themselves 
the  same  as  other  mortals.  But  this  is  a  scouter  in 
his  war-paint !  There  should  be  more  of  his  tribe 
at  no  great  distance.  Let  us  draw  the  truth  out  of 
him ;  for  an  unlucky  war-party  may  prove  more  dan 
gerous  to  us  than  a  visit  from  the  whole  family  of  the 
squatter." 

"It  is  truly  a  desperate  and  a  dangerous  species," 
said  the  Doctor,  relieving  his  amazement  by  a  breath 
that  seemed  to  exhaust  his  lungs  of  air ;  "  a  violent 
race,  and  one  that  it  is  difficult  to  define  or  class 
within  the  usual  boundaries  of  definitions.  Speak 
to  him,  therefore  ;  but  let  thy  words  be  strong  in 
amity  " 

Y 


254 


THE    PRAIRIE. 


The  old  man  cast  a  keen  eye  on  every  side  of 
him,  to  ascertain  the  important  particular  whether 
the  stranger  was  supported  by  any  associates,  and 
then  making  the  usual  signs  of  peace,  by  exhibiting 
the  palm  of  his  naked  hand,  he  boldly  advanced.  In 
the  mean  time,  the  Indian  had  betrayed  no  evidence 
of  uneasiness.  He  suffered  the  trapper  to  draw  nigh, 
maintaining  by  his  own  mien  and  attitude  a  striking 
air  of  dignity  and  fearlessness.  Perhaps  the  wary 
warrior  also  knew  that,  owing  to  the  difference  in 
their  weapons,  he  should  be  placed  more  on  an  equal 
ity,  by  being  brought  nearer  to  the  strangers. 

As  a  description  of  this  individual  may  furnish 
some  idea  of  the  personal  appearance  of  a  whole 
race,  it  may  be  well  to  detain  the  narrative,  in  order 
to  present  it  to  the  reader,  in  our  hasty  and  imper 
fect  manner.  Would  the  truant  eyes  of  Alston  'or 
Leslie  turn,  but  for  a  time,  from  their  gaze  at  the 
models  of  antiquity,  to  contemplate  this  wronged 
and  humbled  people,  little  would  be  left  for  such  in 
ferior  artists  as  ourselves  to  delineate. 

The  Indian  in  question  was  in  every  particular  a 
warrior  of  fine  stature  and  admirable  proportions. 
As  he  cast  aside  his  mask,  composed  of  such  p*rty- 
coloured  leaves,  as  he  had  hurriedly  collected,  his 
countenance  appeared  in  all  the  gravity,  the  dignity, 
and,  it  may  be  added,  in  the  terror  of  his  profession. 
The  outlines  of  his  lineaments  were  strikingly  noble 
and  nearly  approaching  to  Roman,  though  the  se 
condary  features  of  his  face  were  slightly  marked 
with  the  well-known  traces  of  his  Asiastic  origin. 
The  peculiar  tint  of  the  skin,  which  in  itself  is  so 
well  designed  to  aid  the  effect  of  a  martial  expression, 
had  received  an  additional  aspect  of  wild  ferocity 
from  the  colours  of  the  war-paint.  But,  as  though 
he  disdained  the  usual  artifices  of  his  people,  he 
bore  none  of  those  strange .  and  horrid  devices,  with 
which  the  children  of  the  forest  are  accustomed,  like 
the  more  civilized  heroes  of  the  mustache,  to  back 


THE    PRAIRIE. 


255 


their  reputation  for  courage,  contenting  himself  with 
a  broad  and  deep  shadowing  of  black,  that  served  as 
a  sufficient  and  an  admirable  foil  to  the  brighter 
gleamings  of  his  native  swarthiness.  His  head  was 
as  usual  shaved  to  the  crown,  where  a  large  and  gal 
lant  scalp-lock  seemed  fearlessly  to  challenge  the 
grasp  of  his  enemies.  The  ornaments  that  were  or 
dinarily  pendant  from  the  cartilages  of  his  ears  had 
been  removed,  on  account  of  his  present  pursuit. 
His  body,  notwithstanding  the  lateness  of  the  season, 
was  nearly  naked,  and  the  portion  which  was  clad 
bore  a  vestment  no  warmer  than  a  light  robe  of 
the  finest  dressed  deer-skin,  beautifully  stained  with 
the  rude  design  of  some  daring  exploit,  and  which 
was  carelessly  worn,  as  if  more  in  pride  than  from 
any  unmanly  regard  to  comfort.  His  leggings  were 
of  bright  scarlet  cloth,  the  only  evidence  about  his 
person  that  he  had  held  communion  with  the  traders 
of  the  Pale-faces.  But  as  if  to  furnish  some  offset 
to  this  solitary  submission  to  a  womanish  vanity,  they 
were  fearfully  fringed,  from  the  gartered  knee  to  the 
bottom  of  the  moccasin,  with  the  hair  of  human 
scalps.  He  leaned  lightly  ^with  one  hand  on  a  short 
hickory  bow,  while  the  other  rather  touched  than 
sought  support  from  the  longT^elicate  handle  of  an 
ashen  lance.  A  quiver  made  of  the  cougar  skin 
from  which  the  tail  of  the  animal  depended,  as  a 
characteristic  ornament,  was  slung  at  his  back,  and  a 
shield  of  hides,  quaintly  emblazoned  with  another  of 
his  warlike  deeds,  was  suspended  from  his  neck  by  a 
thong  of  sinews. 

As  the  trapper  approached,  this  warrior  maintain 
ed  his  calm  upright  attitude,  discovering  neither  an 
eagerness  to  ascertain  the  character  of  those  who  ad 
vanced  upon  him,  nor  the  smallest  wish  to  avoid  a 
scrutiny  in  his  own  person.  An  eye,  that  was  dark 
er  and  more  shining  than  that  of  the  stag,  was  in 
cessantly  glancing,  however,  from  one  to  another  of 


256  THE   PRAIRIE. 

the  stranger  party,  seemingly  never  knowing  rest  foi 
an  instant. 

"  Is  my  brother  far  from  his  village  ?"  demanded 
the  old  man,  in  the  Pawnee  language,  after  examin 
ing  the  paint,  and  those  other  little  signs  by  which  a 
practised  eye  knows  the  tribe  of  the  warrior  he 
encounters  in  the  American  deserts,  with  the  same 
readiness,  and  by  the  same  sort  of  mysterious  observa 
tion,  as  that  by  which  the  seaman  knows  the  distant 
eail. 

"  It  is  farther  to  the  towns  of  the  Big-knives,"  was 
the  laconic  reply. 

"  Why  is  a  Pawnee-Loup  so  far  from  the  fork  of 
\/  I  his  own  river,  without  a  horse  to  journey  on,  and  in  a 
spot  so  empty  as  this  ?" 

"  Can  the  women  and  children  of  a  Pale-face  live 
without  the  meat  of  the  bisan  ?  There  was  hunger 
in  my  lodge." 

"  My  brother  is  very  young  to  be  already  the  mas 
ter  of  a  lodge,"  returned  the  trapper,  looking  steadi 
ly  into  the  unmoved  countenance  of  the  youthful 
warrior ;  "  but  I  dare  say  he  is  brave,  and  that  many 
a  chief  has  offered  him  his  daughters  for  wives.  But 
he  has  been  mistaken,"  pointing  to  the  arrow,  which 
was  dangling  from  the  hand  that  held  the  bow,  "  in 
bringing  a  loose  and  barbed  arrow-head  to  kill  the 
buffaloe.  Do  the  Pawnees  wish  the  wounds  they 
give  their  game  to  rankle  ?" 

"  It  is  good  to  be  ready  for  the  Sioux.  Though 
not  in  sight,  a  bush  may  hide  him." 

"  The  man  is  a  living  proof  of  the  truth  of  his 
words,"  muttered  the  trapper  in  English,  "  and  a 
close-jointed  and  gallant  looking  lad  he  is ;  but  far 
too  young  for  a  chief  of  any  importance.  It  is  wise, 
however,  to  speak  him  fair,  for  a  single  arm  thrown 
into  either  party,  if  we  come  to  blows  with  the  squat 
ter  and  his  brood,  may  turn  the  day.— You  see  my 
children  are  weary,"  he  continued  in  the  dialect  of 
the  prairies  pointing,  as  he  spoke,  to  the  rest  of  tho 


THE    PRAIRIE.  257 

party,  who,  by  this  time,  were  also  approaching. 
"  We  wish  to  'camp  and  eat.  Does  my  brother  claim 
this  spot?" 

"The  runners,  from  the  people  on  the  Big-river, 
tell  us  that  your  nation  have  traded  with  the  Taw 
ney-faces  who  live  beyond  the  salt-lake,  and  thai 
the  prairies  are  now  the  hunting  grounds  of  the  Big. 
knives  !" 

"It  is  true,  as  I  hear,  also,  from  the  hunters  anc 
trappers  on  La  Platte.  Though  it  is  with  the  French- 
ers,  and  not  with  the  men  who  claim  to  own  the 
Mexicos,  that  my  people  have  bargained." 

"And  warriors  are  going  up  the  Long-river,  to  see 
that  they  have  not  been  cheated  in  what  they  have 
bought?" 

"Ay,  that  is  partly  true,  too,  I  fear;  and  it  will 
not  be  long  before  an  accursed  band  of  choppers  and 
loggers  will  be  following  on  their  heels,  to  humble 
the  wilderness  which  lies  so  broad  and  rich  on  the 
western  banks  of  the  Mississippi,  and  then  the  land 
will  be  a  peopled  desert,  from  the  shores  of  the  main 
sea  to  the  foot  of  the  Rocky  Mountains ;  filled  with 
all  the  abominations  and  craft  of  man,  and  stript  of  the 
comforts  and  loveliness  it  received  from  the  hands  of 
the  Lord!" 

"  And  where  were  the  chiefs  of  the  Pawnee-Loupe 
when   this  bargain  was   made  ?"  suddenly  demande< 
the   youthful  warrior,   a   look   of  startling  fiercenes 
gleaming,  at  the  same  instant,  athwart  his  dark  visage.i  I 
"  Is  a  nation  to  be  sold  like  the  skin  of  a  beaver  ?"       » 

"  Right  enough — right  enough,  and  where  were  \ 
truth  and  honesty,  also  ?  But  might  is  right,  accord 
ing  to  the  fashions  of  the  'arth ;  and  what  the  strong 
choose  to  do,  the  weak  must  call  justice.  If  the 
law  of  the  Wahcondah  was  as  much  hearkened  to, 
Pawnee,  as  the  laws  of  the  Long-knives,  y-^ur  right 
to  the  prairies  would  be  as  good  as  that  of  the  greatest 
chief  in  the  settlements  to  the  house  which  covers  his 
head. 

Y2 


258  THE    PRAIRIE. 

"  The  skin  of  the  traveller  is  white,"  said  the 
yjung  native,  laying  a  finger  impressively  on  the  hard 
and  wrinkled  hand  of  the  trapper.  "  Does  his  heart 
say  one  thing  and  his  tongue  another  ?" 

"  The  Wahcondah  of  a  white  man  has  ears  and  he 
shuts  them  to  a  lie.  Look  at  my  head ;  it  is  like  a 
frosted  pine,  and  must  soon  be  laid  in  the  ground- 
Why  then  should  I  wish  to  meet  the  Great  Spirit, 
face  to  face,  while  his  countenance  is  dark  upon  me." 

The  Pawnee  gracefully  threw  his  shield  over  one 
shoulder,  and  placing  a  hand  on  his  chest,  he  bent 
his  head,  in  deference  to  the  gray  locks  exhibited  by 
the  trapper ;  after  which  his  eye  became  more  steady, 
and  his  countenance  less  fierce.  Still  he  main 
tained  every  appearance  of  a  distrust  and  watchful 
ness  that  were  rather  tempered  and  subdued,  than 
forgotten.  When  this  equivocal  species  of  amity 
was  established  between  the  warrior  of  the  prairies 
and  the  experienced  old  trapper,  the  latter  proceeded 
to  give  his  directions  to  Paul,  concerning  the  arrange 
ments  of  the  contemplated  halt.  While  Inez  and 
Ellen  were  dismounting,  and  Middleton  and  the 
bee-hunter  were  attending  to  their  comforts,  the  dis 
course  was  continued,  sometimes  in  the  language  of 
the  natives,  but  often  as  Paul  and  the  Doctor  min 
gled  their  opinions  with  the  two  principal  speakers, 
in  the  English  tongue.  There  was  a  keen  and  subtle 
trial  of  skill  between  the  Pawnee  and  the  trapper,  in 
which  each  endeavoured  to  discover  the  objects  of 
the  other,  without  betraying  his  interest  in  the  inves 
tigation.  As  might  be  expected,  when  the  struggle 
was  between  adversaries  so  equal,  the  result  of  the 
encounter  answered  the  expectations  of  neither.  The 
latter  had  put  all  the  interrogatories  his  ingenuity 
and  practice  could  suggest,  concerning  the  state  of 
the  tribe  of  the  Loups,  their  crops,  their  store  of 
provisions  for  the  ensuing1  winter,  and  their  relations 
with  their  different  warlike  neighbours,  without  ex 
torting  any  answer  which  in  the  slightest  degree  elu- 


THE    PRAIRIE.  259 

eidated  the  cause  of  his  finding  a  solitary  warrior  so 
far  from  his  people.  On  the  other  hand,  while  the 
questions  of  the  Indian  were  far  more  dignified  and 
delicate,  they  were  equally  ingenious.  He  comment 
ed  on  the  state  of  the  trade  in  peltries,  spoke  of  the 
good  or  ill  success  of  many  white  hunters,  whom  he 
had  either  encountered  or  heard  named,  and  even 
alluded  to  the  steady  march,  which  the  nation  of  his 
great  father,  as  he  cautiously  termed  the  government 
of  the  States,  was  making  towards  the  hunting-grounds 
of  his  tribe.  It  was  apparent,  however,  by  the  singu 
lar  mixture  of  interest,  contempt,  and  indignation,  that 
were  occasionally  gleaming  through  the  reserved  man 
ners  of  this  warrior,  that  he  knew  the  strange  people 
who  were  thus  trespassing  on  his  native  rights  much 
more  by  report  than  by  any  actual  intercourse.  This 
personal  ignorance  of  the  whites  was  as  much  betrayed 
by  the  manner  in  which  he  regarded  the  females,  as 
by  any  of  the  brief  but  energetic  expressions  which 
occasionally  escaped  him. 

While  speaking  to  the  trapper  he  suffered  his 
wandering  glances  to  stray  towards  the  intellectual 
and  nearly  infantile  beauty  of  Inez,  as  one  might  be 
supposed  to  gaze  upon  the  loveliness  of  an  ethereal 
being.  It  was  very  evident  that  he  now  saw,  for  the 
first  time,  one  of  those  females,  of  whom  the  fathers 
of  his  tribe  so  often  spoke,  and  who  were  considered 
of  such  rare  excellence  as  to  equal  all  that  .savage 
ingenuity  could  imagine  in  the  way  of  loveliness- 
His  observation  of  Ellen  was  less  marked,  but  not 
withstanding  the  warlike  and  chastened  expression 
of  his  eye,  there  was  much  of  the  homage,  which 
man  is  made  to  pay  to  woman,  even  in  the  more  cur 
sory  look  he  sometimes  turned  on  her  maturer  and 
perhaps  more  animated  beauty.  This  admiration, 
however,  was  so  tempered  by  his  habits,  and  so 
smothered  in  the  pride  of  a  wairior,  as  completely 
to  elude  every  eye  but  that  of  the  trapper,  who  was 
too  well  skillrd  in  Indian  customs,  and  was  too  well 


260  THE    PRAIRIE 

instructed  in  the  importance  of  rightly  conceiving 
the  character  of  the  stranger,  to  let  the  smallest  trait 
or  the  most  trifling  of  his  movements  escape  him.  In 
the  mean  time  the  unconscious  Ellen  herself  moved 
about  the  feeble  and  less  resolute  Inez  with  her  ac 
customed  assiduity  and  tenderness,  exhibiting  in  her 
frank  features  those  changing  emotions  of  joy  and  re 
gret  which  occasionally  beset  her,  as  her  active  mind 
dwelt  on  the  decided  step  she  had  just  taken,  with 
the  contending  doubts  and  hopes,  and  possibly  with 
some  of  the  mental  vacillation  that  was  natural  to  her 
situation  and  sex. 

Not  so  Paul ;  conceiving  himself  to  have  obtained 
the  two  things  dearest  to  his  heart,  the  possession  of 
Ellen  and  a  triumph  over  the  sons  of  Ishmael,  he 
now  enacted  his  part,  in  the  business  of  the  moment, 
with  as  much  coolness  as  though  he  was  already 
leading  his  willing  bride,  from  solemnizing  their  nup 
tials  before  a  border  magistrate,  to  the  security  of 
his  own  dwelling.  He  had  hovered  around  the  mov 
ing  family,  during  the  tedious  period  of  their  weary 
march,  concealing  himself  by  day,  and  seeking  inter 
views  with  his  betrothed  as  opportunities  offered,  in 
the  manner  already  described,  until  fortune  and  his 
own  intrepidity  had  united  to  render  him  successful 
at  the  very  moment  when  he  was  beginning  to  de 
spair,  and  he  now  cared  neither  for  distance,  nor  vio 
lence,  nor  hardships.  To  his  sanguine  fancy  and  de 
termined  resolution  all  the  rest  was  easily  to  be 
achieved.  Such  were  his  feelings,  and  such  in  truth 
they  seemed  to  be.  With  his  cap  cast  on  one  side 
and  whistling  a  low  air,  he  thrashed  among  the  bush 
es,  in  order  to  make  a  place  suitable  for  the  females 
to  repose  on,  while,  from  time  to  time,  he  cast  an 
approving  glance  at  the  agile  and  rounded  form  oi 
Ellen,  as  she  tripped  past  him  in  the  pursuit  of  her 
own  share  of  the  duty. 

"And   so   the  Wolf-tribe    of    the    Pawnees    have 
buried  the   hatchet  with  their  neighbours   the  Kon- 


THE    PRAIRIE. 


261 


zas,"  said  the  trapper,  pursuing  a  discourse  which 
he  had  scarcely  permitted  to  flag,  though  it  had  heen 
occasionally  interrupted  by  the  different  directions 
with  which  he  occasionally  saw  fit  to  interrupt  it. 
(The  reader  will  remember  that,  while  he  spoke  to 
the  native  warrior  in  his  own  tongue,  he  necessarily 
addressed  his  white  companions  in  English.)  "  The 
Loups  and  the  light-faced  Red-skins  are  again  friends. 
Doctor,  that  is  a  tribe  of  which  I'll  engage  you've 
often  read,  and  of  which  many  a  round  lie  has  been 
whispered  in  the  ears  of  the  ignorant  people,  who 
live  in  the  settlements.  There  was  a  story  of  a  na 
tion  of  Welshers,  that  lived  hereaway  in  the  prairies, 
and  how  they  came  into  the  land  afore  the  uneasy 
minded  man,  who  first  let  in  the  Christians  to  rob  the 
heathens  of  their  inheritance,  had  ever  dreamt  that 
the  sun  set  on  a  country  as  big  as  that  it  rose  from. 
And  how  they  knew  the  white  ways,  and  spoke  with 
white  tongues,  and  a  thousand  other  follies  and  idle 
conceits." 

"  Have  I  not  heard  of  them  !"  exclaimed  the  natura 
list,  dropping  a  piece  of  jerked  bison's  meat,  which 
he  was  rather  roughly  discussing  at  the  moment.  "  I 
should  be  greatly  ignorant  not  to  have  often  dwell 
with  delight  on  so  beautiful  a  theory,  and  one  which 
so  triumphantly  establishes  two  positions,  which  I 
have  often  maintained  are  unanswerable,  even  with 
out  such  living  testimony  in  their  favour — viz.  that 
this  continent  can  claim  a  more  remote  affinity  with 
civilization  than  the  time  of  Columbus,  and  that  co 
lour  is  the  fruit  of  climate  and  condition,  and  not  a 
regulation  of  nature.  Propound  the  latter  question 
to  this  Indian  gentleman,  venerable  hunter ;  he  is  of 
a  reddish  tint  himself,  and  his  opinion  may  be  said  to 
make  us  masters  of  the  two  sides  of  the  disputed* 
point."  A 

"  Do  you  think  a  Pawnee  is  a  reader  of  books  V  j 
and  a  believer  of  printed  lies,  like  the  idlers  in  thelj^ 
towns?"  retorted  the  old  man,  laughing.  "But  ill! 


262 


THE    PRATRIE 


may  be  as  well  to  humour  the  likings  of  the  man, 
which  after  all  it  is  quite  possible  are  neither  more  nor 
less  than  his  natural  gift,  and  therefore  to  be  followed, 
although  they  may  be  pitied.  What  does  my  brother 
think  ?  all  whom  he  sees  here  have  pale  skii-is,  but 
the  Pawnee  warriors  are  red;  does  he  believe  that 
man  changes  with  the  season,  and  that  the  son  is  not 
like  his  father?" 

The  young  warrior  regarded  his  interrogator  for  a 
moment  with  a  steady  and  scornful  eye,  and  then  rais 
ing  his  finger  upward,  with  a  proud  gesture,  he  an 
swered  with  dignity — 

"The  Wahcondah  pours  the  rain  from  his  clouds; 
when  he  speaks,  he  shakes  the  hills ;  and  the  fire, 
which  scorches  the  trees,  is  the  anger  of  his  eye  ;  but 
he  fashioned  his  children  with  care  and  thought. 
"What  he  has  thus  made,  never  alters  !" 

"  Ay,  'tis  in  the  reason  of  natur'  that  it  should  be 
so,  Doctor,"  continued  the  trapper,  when  he  had  in 
terpreted  this  answer  to  the  disappointed  naturalist. 
"  The  Pawnees  are  a  wise  and  a  great  people,  and 
I'll  engage  they  abound  in  many  a  wholesome  and 
honest  tradition.  The  hunters  and  trappers,  that  I 
sometimes  see,  speak  of  a  great  warrior  of  your 
race !" 

"  My  tribe  are  not  women.  A  brave  is  no  strangei 
in  my  village." 

"  Ay ;  but  he,  they  speak  of  most,  is  a  chief  far  be 
yond  the  renown  of  common  warriors,  and  one  that 
might  have  done  credit  to  that  once  mighty  but  now 
fallen  people,  the  Delawares  of  the  hills." 

"  Such  a  warrior  should  have  a  name  ?" 

"  They  call  him  Hard-Heart,  from  the  stoutness  of 
his  resolution ;  and  well  is  he  named,  if  all  I  have 
heard  of  his  deeds  be  true." 

The  stranger  cast  a  glance,  which  seemed  to  read 
the  guileless  soul  of  the  old  man,  as  he  demanded — 

"  Has  the  Pale-face  seen  the  partisan  of  my  peo 
ple?" 


THE    PRAIRIE  263 

41  Never.  It  is  not  with  me  now,  as  it  used  to  be 
iome  forty  years  ago,  when  warfare  and  bloodshed 
were  my  calling  and  my  gifts !" 

A  loud  shout  from  the  reckless  Paul  interrupted 
his  speech,  and  at  the  next  moment  the  bee-hunter 
appeared,  leading  an  Indian  war-horse  from  the  side 
of  the  thicket  opposite  to  the  one  occupied  by  the 
party. 

"Here  is  a  beast  for  a  Red-skin  to  straddle  !"  he 
cried  as  he  made  the  animal  go  through  some  of  its 
wild  paces.  "  There's  not  a  brigadier  in  all  Ken 
tucky  that  can  call  himself  master  of  so  sleek  and 
well-jointed  a  nag!  A  Spanish  saddle  too,  like  a 
grandee  of  the  Mexicos !  and  look  at  the  mane  and 
tail,  braided  and  platted  down  with  little  silver  balls, 
as  if  it  were  Ellen  herself  getting  her  shining  hair 
ready  for  a  dance  or  a  husking  frolic !  Isn't  this  a 
real  trotter,  old  trapper,  to  eat  out  of  the  manger  of 
a  savage  ?" 

"  Softly,  lad,  softly.     The  Lonps    are  famous   forV 
their  horses,  and  it  is  often  that  you  see  a  warrior  on  1 
the   prairies  far  better  mounted  than  a  congress-man  I 
in  the  settlements.     But  this,  indeed,  is  a  beast  thatj 
none  but  a   powerful  chief  should  ride.     The  saddle, 
as  you  rightly  think,  has  been  sit  upon  in  its  day  by 
a  great  Spanish  captain,  who  has  lost  it  and  his  life 
together,   in  some   of  the  battles    which   this  people 
often   fight  against  the  southern  provinces.     I  warrant 
me,  I  warrant  me,  the  youngster  is  the  son  of  a  great 
chief;  may  be  of  the  mighty  Hard-Heart  himself!" 

During  this  rude  interruption  to  the  discourse,  the 
young  Pawnee  manifested  neither  impatience  nor 
displeasure  ;  but  when  he  thought  his  beast  had  been 
the  subject  of  sufficient  comment,  he  very  coolly, 
and  with  the  air  of  one  accustomed  to  have  his  will 
respected,  relieved  Paul  of  the  bridle,  and  throwing 
the  reins  on  the  neck  of  the  animal,  he  sprang  upon 
his  back,  with  the  activity  of  a  professor  of  the  eques 
trian  art.  Nothing  could  be  finer  or  firmer  than 


264  THE    PRAIRIE. 

the  seat  of  the  savage.  The  highly  wrought  and  cum 
brous  saddle  was  evidently  more  for  show  than  use. 
Indeed  it  impeded  rather  than  aided  the  action  of 
limbs,  which  disdained  to  seek  assistance  or  admit  of 
restraint  from  such  womanish  inventions  as  stirrups. 
The  horse,  which  immediately  began  to  prance,  was, 
like  its  rider,  wild  and  untutored  in  all  his  motions, 
but  while  there  was  so  little  of  art,  there  was  all  the 
freedom  and  grace  of  nature  in  the  movements  of 
both.  The  animal  was  probably  indebted  to  the 
blood  of  Araby  for  its  excellence,  through  a  long 
pedigree,  that  embraced  the  steed  of  Mexico,  the 
Spanish  barb  and  the  Moorish  charger.  The  rider, 
in  obtaining  his  steed  from  the  provinces  of  Central- 
America  had  also  obtained  that  spirit  and  grace  in 
controlling  him,  which  unite  to  form  the  most  in 
trepid  and  perhaps  the  most  skilful  horseman  in  the 
world. 

Notwithstanding  this  sudden  occupation  of  his  ani 
mal,  the  Pawnee  discovered  no  hasty  wish  to  depart. 
More  at  his  ease,  and  possibly  more  independent, 
now  he  found  himself  secure  of  the  means  of  re 
treat,  he  rode  back  and  forth,  eying  the  different  in 
dividuals  of  the  party  with  far  greater  freedom  than 
before.  But  at  each  extremity  of  his  ride,  just  as 
the  sagacious  trapper  expected  to  see  him  profit  by 
his  advantage  and  fly,  he  would  turn  his  horse  and 
pass  over  the  same  ground,  sometimes  with  the  rapi 
dity  of  the  flying  deer,  and  at  others  more  slowly 
and  with  greater  dignity  of  mem  and  attitude.  Anx 
ious  to  ascertain  such  facts  as  might  have  an  influ 
ence  on  his  future  movements,  the  old  man  deter 
mined  to  invite  him  to  a  renewal  of  their  conference. 
He  therefore  made  a  gesture  expressive  at  the  same 
time  of  his  wish  to  resume  the  interr./pted  discourse 
and  of  his  own  pacific  intentions.  The  quick  eye 
of  the  stranger  was  not  slow  to  note  the  action,  but 
it  was  not  until  a  sufficient  time  had  passed  to  allow 
him  to  debate  the  prudence  of  the  measure  in  his 


THE    PRAIRIE. 


265 


own  mind,  that  he  seemed  willing  to  trust  himself 
again  so  near  a  party  that  was  so  much  superior  to 
himself  in  physical  power,  and  consequently  one  that 
was  able  at  any  instant  to  command  his  life  or  control 
his  personal  liberty.  When  he  did  approach  nigh 
enough  to  converse  with  facility,  it  was  with  a  singular 
mixture  of  haughtiness  and  of  distrust. 

"It  is  far  to  the  village  of  the  Loups,"  he  said, 
stretching  his  arm  in  a  direction  contrary  to  that,  in 
which  the  trapper  well  knew,  that  the  tribe  dwelt, 
"  and  the  road  is  crooked.  What  has  the  Big-knife  to 
say?" 

"  Ay,  crooked  enough !"  muttered  the  old  man  in 
English,  if  you  are  to  set  out  on  your  journey  by 
that  path,  but  not  half  so  winding  as  the  cunning  of 
an  Indian's  mind.  Say,  my  brother;  do  the  chiefs 
of  the  Pawnees  love  to  see  strange  faces  in  their 
lodges  ?" 

The  young  warrior  bent  his  body  gracefully,  though 
but  slightly  over  his  saddle-bow,  as  he  replied  with 
grave  dignity — 

"  When  have  my  people  forgotten  to  give  food  to 
the  stranger?" 

"  If  I  lead  my  daughters  to  the  doors  of  the  Loups, 
will  the  women  take  them  by  the  hand  ;  and  will  the 
warriors  smoke  with  my  young  men?" 

"  The  country  of  the  Pale-faces  is  behind  them. 
Why  do  they  journey  so  far  towards  the  setting  sun  ? 
Have  they  lost  the  path,  or  are  these  the  women  of 
the  white  warriors,  that  I  hear  are  wading  up  the  river 
*  with  the  troubled  waters  ?'  " 

"  Neither.  They,  who  wade  the  Missouri,  are  the 
warriors  of  my  great  father,  who  has  sent  them  on 
his  message,  but  we  are  peace-runners.  The  white 
men  and  the  red  are  neighbours,  and  they  wish  to  be 
friends. — Do  not  the  Omahaws  visit  the  Loups,  when 
the  tomahawk  is  buried  in  the  path  between  the  two 
nations  ?" 

"  The  Omahaws  are  welcome." 
Z 


266 


THE    PRAIRIE. 


"And  the  Yanktons  and  the  burnt-wood  Tetons, 
who  live  in  the  elbow  of  the  river  *  with  muddy 
water,'  do  they  not  come  into  the  lodges  of  the  Loups 
and  smoke?" 

44  The  Tetons  are  liars,"  exclaimed  the  other. 
"  They  dare  not  shut  their  eyes  in  the  night.  No  ; 
they  sleep  in  the  sun.  See,"  he  added  pointing  with 
fierce  triumph  to  the  frightful  ornaments  of  his  leg 
gings,  "  their  scalps  are  so  plenty,  that  the  Pawnees 
tread  on  them !  Go ;  let  a  Sioux  live  in  banks  of 
snow  ;  the  plains  and  buffaloes  are  for  men  !" 

44  Ah!  the  secret  is  out,"  said  the  trapper  to  Mid- 
dleton,  who  was  as  attentive,  because  a  deeply  in 
terested  observer  of  what  was  passing.  44  This  good 
looking  young  Indian  is  scouting  on  the  track  of  the 
Siouxes — you  may  see  it  by  his  arrow-heads,  and 
his  paint ;  ay,  and  by  his  eye,  too ;  for  a  Red-skin 
lets  his  natur'  follow  the  business  he  is  on,  be  it 
for  peace  or  be  it  for  war, — quiet,  Hector,  quiet. 
Have  you  never  scented  a  Pawnee  before,  pup — keep 
down,  dog — keep  down — my  brother  is  right.  The 
Siouxes  are  thieves.  Men  of  all  colours  and  nations 
say  it  of  them,  and  say  it  truly.  But  the  people  fiom 
the  rising  sun  are  not  Siouxes,  and  they  wish  to  visit 
the  lodges  of  the  Loups." 

44  The  head  of  the  brother  is  white,"  returned  the 
Pawnee,  throwing  one  of  those  glances  at  the  trap 
per,  which  were  so  remarkably  expressive  of  distrust, 
intelligence,  and  pride,  and  then  pointing,  as  he  con 
tinued,  towards  the  eastern  horizon,  44  and  his  eyes 
have  looked  on  many  things — can  he  tell  me  the  name 
of  what  he  sees  yonder — is  it  a  BulTaloe  ?" 

44  It  looks  more  like  a  cloud,  peeping  above  the 
skirt  of  the  plain  with  the  sunshine  lighting  its  edges. 
It  is  the  smoke  of  the  heavens." 

44  It  is  a  hill  of  the  earth,  and  on  its  top  are  the 
lodges  of  the  Pale-faces  !  Let  the  women  of  my 
brother  wash  their  feet  among  the  people  of  their  own 
colour." 


THE    PRAIRIE.  267 

"  The  eyes  of  a  Pawnee  are  good,  if  he  can  see  a 
white-skin  so  far. 

The  Indian  turned  slowly  towards  the  speaker, 
and  after  a  pause  of  a  moment  he  sternly  demand 
ed— 

"  Can  my  brother  hunt  ?" 

"  Alas  !  I  claim  to  be  no  better  than  a  miserable 
trapper." 

44  When  the  plain  is  covered  with  the  buffaloes,  can 
he  see  them?" 

"  No  doubt,  no  doubt — it  is  far  easier  to  see  than  to 
take  a  scampering  bull." 

"And  when  the  birds  are  flying  from  the  cold,  and 
the  clouds  are  black  with  their  feathers,  can  he  see 
them  too  ?" 

"  Ay,  ay,  it  is  not  hard  to  find  a  duck  or  a  goose 
when  millions  are  darkening  the  heavens." 

"  When  the  snow  falls,  and  covers  the  lodges  of 
the  Long-knives,  can  the  stranger  see  flakes  in  the 
air?" 

"  My  eyes  are  none  of  the  best,  now,"  returned  the 
old  man  a  little  resentfully,  "  but  the  time  has  been 
when  I  had  a  name  for  my  sight!" 

"  The  Red-skins  find  the  Big-knives  as  easily  as  the' 
strangers  see  the  Buflaloe,  or  the  travelling  birds,  or 
the  falling  snow.  Your  warriors  think  the  Master  of 
Life  has  made  the  whole  earth  white.  They  are  mis 
taken.  They  are  pale,  and  it  is  their  own  faces  that 
they  see.  Go  !  a  Pawnee  is  not  blind,  that  he  need 
look  long  for  your  people  !" 

Tbe  warrior  suddenly  paused,  and  bent  his  face 
aside,  like  one  who  listened  with  all  his  faculties  ab 
sorbed  in  the  act.  Then  turning  the  head  of  his 
horse,  he  rode  to  the  nearest  angle  of  the  thicket, 
and  looked  intently  across  the  bleak  prairie,  in  a 
direction  opposite  to  the  side  on  which  the  party 
stood.  Returning  slowly  from  this  unaccountable, 
and  to  his  observers,  startling  procedure,  he  riveted 
his  eyes  on  Inez  and  paced  back  and  forth  several 


268  THE    PRAIRIE. 

limes,  with  the  air  of  one  who  maintained  a  warm 
struggle  on  some  difficult  point,  in  the  secret  recesses 
of  his  own  thoughts.  He  had  drawn  the  reigns  of 
his  impatient  steed,  and  was  seemingly  about  to 
speak,  when  his  head  again  sunk  on  his  chest  and  he 
resumed  his  former  attitude  of  attention.  Galloping 
like  a  deer,  to  the  place  of  his  former  observations, 
he  rode  for  a  moment  swiftly,  in  short  and  rapid  cir 
cles,  as  if  still  uncertain  of  his  course,  and  then  darted 
away,  like  a  bird  that  had  been  fluttering  around  its 
nest  before  it  takes  a  distant  flight.  After  scouring  the 
plain  for  a  minute,  he  was  lost  to  the  eye  behind  a 
swell  of  the  land. 

The  hounds,  who  had  also  manifested  great  uneasi 
ness  for  some  time,  followed  him  for  a  little  distance, 
and  then  terminated  their  chase  by  seating  themselves 
on  the  ground  and  raising  their  usual  low,  whining 
and  alarming  howls. 


THE    PRAIRIE.  269 


CHAPTER 


«  How  if  he  will  not  stand  ?" 

Shakspeare. 

THE  several  movements  related  in  the  c*ose  of  the 
preceding  chapter,  had  passed  in  so  short  a  space  of 
time,  that  the  old  man,  while  he  neglected  not  to 
note  the  smallest  incident,  had  no  opportunity  of  ex 
pressing  his  opinion  concerning  the  stranger's  mo 
tives.  After  the  Pawnee  had  disappeared,  however, 
he  shook  his  head  and  muttered,  while  he  walked 
slowly  to  the  angle  of  the  thicket  that  the  Indian  had 
just  quitted — 

'*  There  are  both  scents  and  sounds  in  the  air, 
though  my  miserable  senses  are  not  good  enough  to 
hear  the  one,  or  to  catch  the  taint  of  the  other." 

"There  is  nothing  to  be  seen,"  cried  Middleton, 
who  kept  close  at  his  side.  "  My  eyes  and  my  ears 
are  good,  and  yet  I  can  assure  you  that  I  neither  hear 
nor  see  any  thing." 

"  Your  eyes  are  good!  and  you  are  not  deaf!"  re 
turned  the  other  with  a  slight  air  of  contempt ;  "no, 
lad,  no ;  they  may  be  good  to  see  across  a  church,  or 
to  hear  a  town-bell,  but  before  you  had  passed  a  year 
in  these  prairies  you  would  find  yourself  taking  a 
turkey  for  a  buffaloe,  or  conceiting,  full  fifty  times, 
that  the  roar  of  a  buffaloe  bull  was  the  thunder  of 
the  Lord !  There  is  a  deception  of  natur*  in  these 
naked  plains,  in  which  the  air  throws  up  the  images 
like  water,  and  then  it  is  hard  to  tell  the  prairies  from 

fa  sea.     But  yonder  is  a  sign  that  a  hunter  never  fails 
to  know !" 

The  trapper  pointed  to  a  flight  of  vultures,   that 
were  sailing  over  the  plain  at  no  great  distance,  and 
Z2 


270  THE    PRAIRIE. 

apparently  in  the  direction  in  which  the  Pawnee  had 
riveted  his  eye.  At  first  Middleton  could  not  distin 
guish  the  small  dark  objects,  that  were  dotting  the 
dusky  clouds,  but  as  they  came  swiftly  onward,  first 
their  forms,  and  then  their  heavy  waving  wings  be 
came  distinctly  visible. 

"  Listen,"  said  the  trapper,  when  he  had  succeeded 
in  making  Middleton  see  the  moving  column  of  birds. 
"  Now  you  hear  the  buffaloes,  or  bisons,  as  your 
knowing  Doctor  sees  fit  to  call  them,  though  Buffaloes 
is  their  name  among  all  the  hunters  of  these  regions 
And,  I  conclude,  that  a  hunter  is  a  better  judge  of  a 
beast  and  of  its  name,'5  he  added,  winking  to  the 
young  soldier,  "  than  any  man  who  has  turned  over 
the  leaves  of  a  book,  instead  of  travelling  over  the 
face  of  the  'arth,  in  order  to  find  out  the  name  and  the 
uatur's  of  its  inhabitants." 

"  Of  their  habits,  I  will  grant  you  ;"  cried  the 
naturalist,  who  rarely  missed  an  opportunity  to  agitate 
any  disputed  point  in  his  favourite  studies.  "  That 
is,  provided  always  deference  is  had  to  the  proper  use 
of  definitions,  and  that  they  are  contemplated  with 
scientific  eyes." 

"  Eyes  of  a  mole !  as  if  man's  eyes  were  not  as 
good  for  names  as  the  eyes  of  any  other  creatur' ! 
Who  named  the  works  of  His  hand  !  can  you  tell  me 
that,  with  your  books  and  college  wisdom  ?  Was  k 
not  the  first  man  in  the  Garden,  and  is  it  not  a  plain 
consequence  that  his  children  inherit  his  gifts  ?" 

"  That  is  certainly  the  Mosaic  account  of  the  event," 
said  the  Doctor  ;  "  though  your  reading  is  by  far  too 
literal." 

"  My  reading !  nay,  if  you  suppose,  that  I  have 
wasted  my  time  in  schools,  you  do  such  a  wrong  to 
my  knowledge  as  one  mortal  should  never  lay  to  the 
door  of  another  without  sufficient  reason.  If  I  have 
ever  craved  the  art  of  reading,  it  has  been  that  I 
might  better  know  the  sayings  of  the  book  you  name, 
for  it  is  a  book  which  speaks,  in  every  line,  accord- 


THE    PRAIRIE.  271 

ing  to  human  feelings,  and  therein  according  to  rea 
son." 

"  And  do  you  then  believe,"  said  the  Doctor,  a  little 
provoked  by  the  dogmatism  of  his  stubborn  adversary, 
and  perhaps,  secretly,  too  confident  in  his  own  more 
liberal,  though  scarcely  as  profitable  attainments — 
"  Do  you  then  believe  that  all  these  beasts  were 
literally  collected  in  a  garden,  to  be  enrolled  in  the 
nomenclature  of  the  first  man  ?" 

"  Why  not  ?  I  understand  your  meaning;  for  it  is 
not  needful  to  live  in  towns  to  hear  all  the  devilish 
devices,  that  the  conceit  of  man  can  invent  to  upset 
his  own  happiness.  What  does  it  prove,  except  in 
deed  it  may  be  said  to  prove  that  the  garden  He 
made  was  not  after  the  miserable  fashions  of  our 
times,  thereby  directly  giving  the  lie  to  what  the 
world  calls  its  civilizing.  No,  no,  the  garden  of  the  ' 
Lord  was  the  forest  then,  and  is  the  forest  now,  s 
where  the  fruits  do  grow,  and  the  birds  do  sing,  ac 
cording  to  his  own  wise  ordering.  Now,  lady,  you 
may  see  the  mystery  of  the  vultures !  There  come 
the  buffaloes  themselves,  and  a  noble  herd  it  is !  I 
warrant  me,  that  Pawnee  has  a  troop  of  his  people 
in  some  of  the  hollows,  nigh  by ;  and  as  he  has  gone 
scampering  after  them,  you  are  about  to  see  a  glori 
ous  chase.  It  will  serve  to  keep  the  squatter  and 
his  brood  under  cover,  and  for  ourselves  there  is  little 
reason  to  fear.  A  Pawnee  is  not  apt  to  be  a  malicious 
savage." 

Every  eye  was  now  drawn  to  the  striking  spectacle 
that  succeeded.  Even  the  timid  Inez  hastened  to  the 
side  of  Middleton  to  gaze  at  the  sight,  and  Paul  sum 
moned  Ellen  from  her  culinary  labours,  to  become  a 
witness  of  the  lively  scene. 

Throughout  the  whole  of  those  moving  events, 
which  it  has  been  our  duty  to  record,  the  prairies 
had  lain  in  all  the  majesty  of  perfect  solitude.  The 
heavens  had  been  blackened  with  the  passage  of  the 


272  THE    PRAIRIE. 

migratory  birds,  it  is  true,  but  the  dogs  of  the  party, 
and  the  ass  of  the  Doctor,  were  the  only  quadrupeds 
that  had  enlivened  the  broad  surface  of  the  waste  be 
neath.  There  was  now  a  sudden  exhibition  of  ani 
mal  life,  which  changed  the  scene,  as  it  were,  by 
magic,  to  the  very  opposite  extreme. 

A  few  enormous  bison  bulls  were  first  observed, 
scouring  along  the  most  distant  roll  of  the  prairie, 
and  then  succeeded  long  files  of  single  beasts,  which, 
in  their  turns,  were  followed  by  a  dark  mass  of 
bodies,  until  the  dun-coloured  herbage  of  the  plain 
was  entirely  lost  in  the  deeper  hue  of  their  shaggy 
coats.  The  herd,  as  the  column  spread  and  thicken 
ed,  was  like  the  endless  flocks  of  the  smaller  birds, 
whose  extended  flanks  are  so  often  seen  to  heave  up 
out  of  the  abyss  of  the  heavens,  until  they  appear  as 
countless  as  the  leaves  in  those  forests,  over  which 
they  wing  their  endless  flight.  Clouds  of  dust  shot 
up  in  little  columns  from  the  centre  of  the  mass,  as 
some  animal,  more  furious  than  the  rest,  ploughed  the 
plain  with  his  horns,  and,  from  time  to  time,  a  deep 
hollow  bellowing  was  borne  along  on  the  wind,  as 
though  a  thousand  throats  vented  their  plaints  in  a 
discordant  murmuring. 

A  long  and  musing  silence  reigned  in  the  party,  as 
they  gazed  on  this  spectacle  of  wild  and  peculiar 
grandeur.  It  was  at  length  broken  by  the  trapper, 
who,  having  been  long  accustomed  to  similar  sights, 
felt  less  of  its  influence,  or,  rather  felt  it  in  a  less 
thrilling  and  absorbing  manner,  than  those  to  whom 
the  scene  was  more  novel. 

"  There  go  ten  thousand  oxen  in  one  drove,  with 
out  keeper  or  master,  except  Him  who  made  them, 
and  gave  them  these  open  plains  for  their  pasture 
Ay,  it  is  here  that  man  may  see  the  proofs  of  his 
wantonness  and  folly !  Can  the  proudest  governor 
in  all  the  States  go  into  his  fields,  and  slaughter  a 
nobler  bullock  than  is  here  offered  to  the  meaneal 


THE    PRAIRIE.  273* 

nands ;  and  when  he  has  gotten  his  surloin  or  his 
steak,  can  he  eat  it  with  as  good  a  relish  as  he  who 
has  sweetened  his  food  with  wholesome  toil,  and 
earned  it  according  to  the  law  of  natur',  by  honestly 
mastering  that  which  the  Lord  hath  put  before  him?" 

"  If  the  prairie  platter  is  smoking  with  a  buflaloe'e 
hump  I  answer,  no,"  interrupted  the  luxurious  bee- 
hunter. 

"  Ay,  boy,  you  have  tasted,  and  you  feel  the  genu 
ine  reasoning  of  the  thing.  But  the  herd  is  heading 
a  little  this-a-way,  and  it  behoves  us  to  make  ready 
for  their  visit.  If  we  hide  ourselves,  altogether,  the 
horned  brutes  will  break  through  the  place  and  tram 
ple  us  beneath  their  feet,  like  so  many  creeping 
worms  ;  so  we  will  just  put  the  weak  ones  apart,  and 
take  post,  as  becomes  men  and  hunters,  in  the  van." 

As  there  was  but  little  time  to  make  the  necessary 
arrangements,  the  whole  party  set  about  them  in 
good  earnest.  Inez  and  Ellen  were  placed  in  the 
edge  of  the  thicket  on  the  side  farthest  from  the  ap 
proaching  herd.  Asinus  was  posted  in  the  centre, 
in  consideration  of  his  nerves,  and  then  the  old  man, 
with  his  three  male  companions,  divided  themselves  in 
such  a  manner  as  they  thought  would  enable  them 
to  turn  the  head  of  the  rushing  column  should  it 
chance  to  approach  too  nigh  their  position.  By  the 
vacillating  movements  of  some  fifty  or  a  hundred 
bulls,  that  led  the  advance,  it  remained  questionable, 
for  many  moments,  what  course  they  intended  to 
pursue.  But  a  tremendous  and  painful  roar,  which 
came  from  behind  the  cloud  of  dust  that  rose  in  the 
centre  of  the  herd,  and  which  was  horridly  answered 
by  the  screams  of  the  carrion  birds,  that  were  greed 
ily  sailing  directly  above  the  flying  drove,  appeared 
to  give  a  new  impulse  to  their  flight,  and  at  once  to 
remove  every  symptom  of  indecision.  As  if  glad  to 
seek  the  smallest  signs  of  the  forest,  the  whole  of  the 
affrighted  herd  became  steady  in  its  direction,  rush- 


274 


THE    PRAIRIE. 


ing  in  a  straight  line  toward  the  little  cover  of  bushes, 
which  has  already  been  so  often  named. 

The  appearance  of  danger  was  now,  in  reality,  of 
a  character  to  try  the  stoutest  nerves.  The  flanks 
of  the  dark,  moving  mass,  were  advanced  in  such  a 
manner  as  to  make  a  concave  line  of  the  front,  and 
every  fierce  eye,  that  was  glaring  from  the  shaggy 
wilderness  of  hair  in  which  the  entire  heads  of  the 
males  were  enveloped,  was  riveted  with  mad  anxiety 
on  the  thicket.  It  seemed  as  if  each  beast  strove  to 
outstrip  his  neighbour  in  gaining  this  desired  cover, 
and  as  thousands  in  the  rear  pressed  blindly  on  those 
in  front,  there  was  the  appearance  of  an  imminent 
risk  that  the  leaders  of  the  herd  would  be  precipita 
ted  on  the  concealed  party,  in  which  case  the  de 
struction  of  every  one  of  them  was  certain.  Each 
of  our  adventurers  felt  the  danger  of  his  situation  in 
i  manner  peculiar  to  his  individual  character  and  cir 
cumstances. 

Middleton  wavered.  At  times  he  felt  inclined  to 
rush  through  the  bushes,  and,  seizing  Inez,  attempt 
to  fly.  Then  recollecting  the  impossibility  of  out 
stripping  the  furious  speed  of  an  alarmed  bison,  he 
felt  for  his  arms,  as  if  determined  to  make  head 
against  the  countless  multitude  of  the  drove.  The 
faculties  of  Dr.  Battius  were  quickly  wrought  up  to 
the  very  summit  of  mental  delusion.  The  dark 
forms  of  the  herd  lost  their  distinctness,  and  then  the 
naturalist  began  to  fancy  he  beheld  a  wild  collection 
of  all  the  creatures  of  the  world,  rushing  upon  him 
in  a  body,  as  if  to  revenge  the  various  injuries,  which 
in  the  course  of  a  life  of  indefatigable  labour  in  be 
half  of  the  natural  sciences,  he  had  inflicted  on  their 
several  genera.  The  paralysis  it  occasioned  in  his 
system,  was  like  the  effect  of  the  incubus.  Equally 
unable  to  fly  or  to  advance,  he  stood  riveted  to  the 
spot,  until  the  infatuation  became  so  complete,  that 
the  worthy  naturalist  was  beginning,  by  a  desperate 


THE    PRAIRFE. 


275 


effort  of  scientific  resolution,  even  to  class  the  differ 
ent  specimens.  On  the  other  hand,  Paul  shouted, 
and  called  on  Ellen  to  come  and  assist  him  in  shout 
ing,  but  his  voice  was  lost  in  the  bellowings  and 
trampling  of  the  herd.  Furious,  and  yet  strangely 
excited  by  the  obstinacy  of  the  brutes  and  the  wild- 
ness  of  the  sight,  and  nearly  maddened  by  sympathy 
and  a  species  of  unconscious  apprehension,  in  which 
the  claims  of  nature  were  singularly  mingled  with 
concern  for  his  mistress,  he  nearly  split  his  throat  in 
exhorting  his  aged  friend  to  interfere. 

"  Come  forth,  old  trapper,"  he  shouted,  "  with 
your  prairie  inventions  !  or  we  shall  be  all  smothered 
under  a  mountain  of  buffaloe  humps  !" 

The  old  man,  who  had  stood  all  this  while  leaning 
on  his  rifle,  and  regarding  the  movements  of  the 
herd  with  a  steady  eye,  now  deemed  it  time  to  strike 
his  blow.  Levelling  his  piece  at  the  foremost  bull, 
with  an  agility  that  would  have  done  credit  to  his 
youth,  he  fired.  The  animal  received  the  bullet  on 
the  matted  hair  between  his  horns,  and  fell  to  his 
knees  :  but  shaking  his  head  he  instantly  arose,  the 
very  shock  seemed  to  increase  his  exertions.  There 
was  now  no  longer  time  to  hesitate.  Throwing  down 
his  rifle  the  trapper  stretched  forth  his  arms,  and 
advanced  from  the  cover  with  naked  hands,  directly 
towards  the  rushing  column  of  the  beasts. 

The  figure  of  a  man,  when  sustained  by  the  firm 
ness  and  steadiness  that  intellect  can  only  impart, 
rarely  fails  of  commanding  respect  from  all  the  infe 
rior  animals  of  the  creation.  The  leading  bulls  re 
coiled,  and  for  a  single  instant  there  was  a  sudden 
stop  to  their  speed,  a  dense  mass  of  bodies  roiling 
up  in  front,  until  hundreds  were  seen  floundering  and 
tumbling  on  the  plain.  Then  came  another  of  those 
hollow  bellowings  from  the  rear  and  set  the  herd 
again  in  motion.  The  head  of  the  column,  how 
ever,  divided.  'The  immovable  form  of  the  trap- 


276  THE  PRAIRIE. 

per,  cutting  it,  as  it  were,  into  two  gliding  streams  of 
life.  Middleton  and  Paul  instantly  profited  by  hia 
example,  and  extended  the  feeble  barrier  by  a  similar 
exhibition  of  their  own  persons. 

For  a  few  moments,  the  new  impulse,  given  to  the 
animals  in  front,  served  to  protect  the  thicket.  But, 
as  the  body  of  the  herd  pressed  more  and  more  upon 
the  open  line  of  its  defenders,  and  the  dust  thicken 
ed  so  as  to  obscure  their  persons,  there  was,  at  each 
instant,  a  renewed  danger  of  the  beasts  breaking 
through.  It  became  necessary  for  the  trapper  and 
his  companions  to  become  still  more  and  more  alert ; 
and  they  were  gradually  yielding  before  the  headlong 
multitude,  when  a  furious  bull  darted  by  Middleton, 
so  near  as  to  brush  his  person,  and,  at  the  next  in 
stant  swept  through  the  thicket  with  the  velocity  of 
the  wind. 

"  Close,  and  die  for  the  ground,"  shouted  the  old 
man,  "or  a  thousand  of  the  devils  will  be  at  his 
heels!" 

All  their  efforts  would  have  proved  fruitless,  how 
ever,  against  the  living  torrent,  had  not  Asinus,  whose 
domains  had  just  been  so  rudely  entered,  lifted  his 
voice,  in  the  midst  of  the  uproar.  The  most  sturdy 
and  furious  of  the  bulls  trembled  at  the  alarming  and 
unknown  cry,  and  then  each  individual  brute  was 
seen  madly  pressing  from  that  very  thicket,  which, 
the  moment  before,  he  had  endeavoured  to  reach 
with  the  same  sort  of  eagerness  as  that  with  which 
the  murderer  seeks  the  sanctuary. 

As  the  stream  divided,  the  place  became  clear; 
and  two  dark  columns  moving  obliquely  from  the 
copse  to  unite  again  at  the  distance  of  a  mile,  on  its 
opposite  side.  The  instant  the  old  man  saw  the  sud 
den  effect  which  the  voice  of  Asinus  had  produced, 
he  coolly  commenced  reloading  his  rifle,  indulging  at 
the  same  time  in  a  most  heartfelt  fit  of  his  silent  and 
peculiar  merriment. 


THE    PRAIRIE.  277 

"  There  they  go,  like  dogs  with  so  many  half-filled 
shot-pouches  dangling  at  their  tails,  and  no  fear  of 
their  breaking  their  order;  for  what  the  brutes  in 
the  rear  didn't  hear  with  their  own  ears,  they'll  con 
ceit  they  did :  besides,  if  they  change  their  minds  it 
may  be  no  hard  matter  to  get  the  Jack  to  sing  the  rest 
of  his  tune !" 

"  The  ass  has  spoken,  but  Balaam  is  silent !"  cried 
the  Bee-hunter,  catching  his  breath  after  a  repeated 
burst  of  noisy  mirth,  that  might  possibly  have  added 
to  the  panic  of  the  buffaloes  by  its  vociferation  ! 
'*  The  man  is  as  completely  dumb-foundered,  as 
though  a  swarm  of  young  bees  had  settled  on  the  end 
of  his  tongue,  and  he  not  willing  to  speak,  for  fear  of 
their  answer." 

"How  now,  friend,"  continued  the  trapper,  ad 
dressing  the  still  motionless  and  entranced  naturalist ; 
"  How  now,  friend ;  are  you,  who  make  your  liveli 
hood  by  looking  the  names  and  natur's  of  the  beasts 
of  the  fields  and  the  fowls  of  the  air,  frightened  at  a 
herd  of  scampering  buffaloes  !  Though,  perhaps, 
you  are  ready  to  dispute  my  right  to  call  them  by  a 
word  that  is  in  the  mouth  of  every  hunter  and  trader 
on  the  frontier !" 

The  old  man  was  however  mistaken,  in  supposing 
he  could  excite  the  benumbed  faculties  of  the  Doc 
tor,  by  provoking  a  discussion  on  this  momentous 
topic.  From  that  time,  henceforth,  he  was  never 
known,  except  on  one  occasion,  to  utter  a  word  that 
indicated  either  the  species  or  the  genus  of  the  ani 
mal.  He  obstinately  refused  the  nutritious  food  of 
the  whole  ox  family,  and  even  to  the  present  hour, 
now  that  he  is  established  in  all  the  scientific  dignity 
and  security  of  a  savant  in  one  of  the  maritime 
towns,  he  turns  his  back  with  a  shudder  on  those 
delicious  and  unrivalled  viands,  that  are  so  often 
seen  at  the  suppers  of  the  craft,  and  which  are  un 
equalled  by  any  thing,  that  is  served  under  the  same 
2  A 


278  THE    PRAIRIE. 

name  at  the  boasted  chop-houses  of  London  or  at 
the  most  renowned  of  the  Parisian  restaurants.  In 
short,  the  distaste  of  the  worthy  naturalist  for  beef 
was  not  unlike  that  which  the  shepherd  sometimes 
produces*  by  first  muzzling  and  fettering  his  delin 
quent  dog,  and  then  leaving  him  as  a  stepping-stone 
for  the  whole  flock  to  use  in  its  transit  over  a  wall 
or  through  the  opening  of  a  sheep-fold;  a  process 
which  is  said  to  produce  in  the  culprit  a  species  of 
surfeit,  on  the  subject  of  mutton,  forever  after.  By 
the  time  Paul  and  the  trapper  saw  fit  to  terminate 
the  fresh  bursts  of  merriment,  which  the  continued 
abstraction  of  their  learned  companion  did  not  fail 
to  excite,  he  commenced  breathing  again,  as  though 
the  suspended  action  of  his  lungs  had  been  renewed 
by  the  application  of  a  pair  of  artificial  bellows,  and  was 
heard  to  make  use  of  the  ever  afterwards,  prescribed 
term,  on  that  solitary  occasion,  to  which  we  have  just 
alluded. 

"  Boves  Americani  horridi !"  exclaimed  the  Doctor, 
laying  great  stress  on  the  latter  word ;  after  which  he 
continued  mute,  like  one  who  pondered  on  strange  and 
unaccountable  events. 

"  Ay,  horrid  eyes  enough,  I  will  willingly  allow," 
returned  the  trapper ;  "  and  altogether  the  creatur' 
has  a  frightful  look,  to  one  unused  to  the  sights  and 
bustle  of  a  natural  life ;  but  then  the  courage  of  the 
beast  is  in  no  way  equal  to  its  countenance.  Lord, 
man,  if  you  should  once  get  fairly  beset  by  a  brood 
of  grizzly  bears,  as  happened  to  Hector  and  I,  at 
the  great  falls  of  the  Miss — Ah,  here  comes  the  tail 
of  the  herd,  and  yonder  goes  a  pack  of  hungry 
wolves,  ready  to  pick  up  the  sick,  or  such  as  get  a 
disjointed  neck  by  a  tumble.  Ha  !  there  are  mounted 
men  on  their  tail,  or  I'm  no  sinner !  here,  lad  ;  you 
may  see  them  here-away,  just  where  the  dust  is  scat' 
tering  afore  the  wind.  They  are  hovering  around  a 
wounded  buffaloe,  making  an  end  of  the  surly  dft^U 
with  their  arrows  !" 


THE    PRAIRIE.  279 

Middleton  and  Paul  soon  caught  a  glimpse  of  the 
dark  group  that  the  quick  eye  of  the  old  man  had 
so  readily  detected.  Some  fifteen  or  twenty  horse 
men  were,  in  truth,  to  be  seen  riding,  in  quick  cir 
cuits,  about  a  noble  bull,  which  stood  at  bay,  too 
grievously  hurt  to  fly,  and  yet  seeming  to  disdain  to 
fall,  notwithstanding  his  hardy  body  had  already  been 
the  target  for  a  hundred  arrows.  A  thrust  from  the 
lance  of  a  powerful  Indian,  however,  completed  his 
conquest,  and  the  brute  gave  up  his  obstinate  hold  of 
life  with  a  roar,  that  passed  bellowing  over  the  place 
where  our  adventurers  stood,  and,  reaching  the  ears 
of  the  affrighted  herd,  added  a  new  impulse  to  their 
flight. 

"  How  well  the  Pawnee  knew  the  philosophy  of  a 
buffaloe  hunt,"  said  tho  old  man,  after  he  had  stood 
regarding  the  animated  scene  for  a  few  moments, 
with  very  evident  satisfaction.  "You  saw  how  he 
went  off  like  the  wind  before  the  drove.  It  was  in 
order  that  he  might  not  taint  the  air,  and  that  he 
might  turn  the  flank,  and  join — Ha  !  how  is  this ! 
yonder  Red-skins  are  no  Pawnees  !  The  feathers  inj 
their  heads  are  from  the  wings  and  tails  of  owls 
Ah  !  as  I  am  but  a  miserable  half-sighted  trapper,  it  is1 
a  band  of  the  accursed  Siouxes  !  To  cover,  lads,  to 
cover.  A  single  cast  of  an  eye  this-a-way,  would 
strip  us  of  every  rag  of  clothes,  as  surely  as  the  light 
ning  scorches  the  bush,  and  it  might  be  that  our  very 
lives  would  be  far  from  safe." 

Middleton  had  already  turned  from  the  spectacle 
to  seek  that  which  pleased  him  better ;  the  sight  of 
his  young  and  beautiful  bride.  Paul  seized  the  Doc 
tor  by  the  arm,  and,  as  the  trapper  followed  with  the 
smallest  possible  delay,  the  whole  party  was  quickly 
collected  within  the  cover  of  the  thicket.  After  a 
few  short  explanations  concerning  the  character  of  this 
new  danger,  the  old  man,  on  whom  the  whole  duty 
of  directing  their  movements  was  devolved,  in  deference 


280  THE    PRAIRIE. 

I  to  his   great  experience,  continued  his  discourse  as 
follows — 

"  This  is  a  region,  as  you  must  all  know,  where  a 
strong  arm  is  far  better  than  the  right,  and  where  the 
white  law  is  as  little  known  as  needed.  Therefore 
does  every  thing,  now,  depend  on  judgment  and 
power.  If,"  he  continued,  laying  his  finger  on  his 
cheek  like  one  who  considered  deeply  all  sides  of 
the  embarrassing  situation  in  which  he  found  him 
self,  "if  an  invention  could  be  framed,  which  would 
set  these  Siouxes  and  the  brood  of  the  squatter  by  the 
ears,  then  might  we  come  in,  like  the  buzzards  after 
a  fight  between  the  beasts,  and  pick  up  the  gleaninga 
of  the  ground — there  are  Pawnees  nigh  us,  too  ! — It  is 
a  certain  matter,  for  yonder  lad  is  not  so  far  from  his 
village  without  an  errand.  Here  are  therefore  four 
parties  within  sound  of  a  cannon,  not  one  of  whom 
can  trust  the  other.  All  which  makes  movement  a 
little  difficult,  in  a  district  where  covers  are  far  from 
plenty.  But  we  are  three  well-armed,  and  I  think  I 
may  say  three  stout-hearted  men — " 

"  Four,"  interrupted  Paul. 

"  Anan,"  said  the  old  man,  looking  up  for  the  first 
time  at  his  companions. 

"Four,"  repeated  the  bee-hunter,  pointing  to  the 
naturalist. 

"  Every  army  has  its  hangers-one  and  idlers,"  re 
joined  the  blunt  border-man.  "  Friend,  it  will  be 
necessary  to  slaughter  this  ass." 

"  To  slay  Asinus  !  such  a  deed  would  be  ah  act  of 
supererogatory  cruelty." 

"I  know  nothing  of  your  words,  which  hide  their 
meaning  in  sound ;  but  that  is  cruel  which  sacrifices 
a  Christian  to  a  brute.  This  is  what  I  call  the  rea 
son  of  mercy.  It  would  be  just  as  safe  to  blow  a 
trumpet,  as  to  let  the  animal  raise  his  voice  again, 
inasmuch  as  it  would  prove  a  manifest  challenge  to 
the  Siouxes." 


THE    PRAIRIE.  281 

"  I  will  answer  for  the  discretion  of  Asinus,  who 
fleldom  speaks  without  a  reason." 

"They  say  a  man  can  be  known  by  the  company 
he  keeps,"  retorted  the  old  man,  "  and  why  not  a 
brute !  I  once  made  a  forced  march,  and  went 
through  a  great  deal  of  jeopardy,  with  a  companion 
who  never  opened  his  mouth  but  to  sing;  and  trou 
ble  enough  and  great  concern  of  mind  did  the  fellow 
give  me.  It  was  in  that  very  business  with  your 
grand' ther,  captain.  But  then  he  had  a  human  throat, 
and  well  did  he  know  how  to  use  it,  on  occasion, 
though  he  didn't  always  stop  to  regard  the  time  and 
seasons  fit  for  such  outcries.  Ah's  me !  if  I  was 
now,  as  I  was  then,  it  wouldn't  be  a  band  of -thieving 
Siouxes  that  should  easily  drive  me  from  such  a 
lodgment  as  this  !  But  what  signifies  boasting,  when 
sight  and  strength  are  both  failing.  The  warrior,  that 
the  Delawares  once  saw  fit  to  call  after  the  Hawk, 
for  the  goodness  of  his  eyes,  would  now  be  better 
termed  the  Mole.  In  my  judgment,  therefore,  it  will 
be  well  to  slay  the  brute." 

"  There's  argument  and  good  logic  in  it,"  said 
Paul;  "music  is  music,  and  it's  always  noisy,  whe 
ther  it  comes  from  a  fiddle  or  a  jackass.  Therefore  1 
agree  with  the  old  man,  and  say,  kill  the  beast." 

"  Friends,"  said  the  naturalist,  looking  with  a  sor- 
sowful  eye  from  one  to  another  of  his  bloodily  dis 
posed  companions;  "  slay  not  Asinus;  he  is  a  speci 
men  of  his  kind,  of  whom  much  good  and  little  evil 
can  be  said.  Hardy  and  docile,  for  his  genus;  ab- 
steminous  and  patient,  even  for  his  humble  species. 
We  have  journeyed  much  together,  and  his  death 
would  grieve  me.'  How  \vould  it  trouble  thy  spirit, 
venerable  venator,  to  separate,  in  such  an  untimely 
manner,  from  your  faithful  hound  ?" 

t:The  animal  shall  not  die;"  said  the  old  man,  sud 
denly  clearing  his  throat,  in  a  manner  that  proved 
he  felt  the  fullest  force  of  the  appeal.  "But  his 
2A  2 


282  THE    PRAIRIE. 

voice  must  be  smothered.  Bind  his  jaws  with  the 
halter,  and  then  I  think  we  may  trust  the  rest  to  Provi 
dence." 

With  this  double  security  for  the  discretion  of 
Asinus,  for  Paul  instantly  bound  the  muzzle  of  the  ass 
in  the  manner  required,  the  trapper  seemed  content. 
After  which  he  proceeded  to  the  margin  of  the  thicket 
to  reconnoitre. 

The  upproar,  which  attended  the  passage  of  the 
herd,  was  now  gone,  or  rather  it  was  heard  rolling 
along  the  prairie,  at  the  distance  of  a  mile.  The 
clouds  of  dust  were  already  blown  away  by  the  wind, 
and  a  clear  range  was  left  to  the  eye  in  that  place 
where  t£n  minutes  before  there  existed  such  a  strange 
scene  of  wildness  and  confusion. 

The  Siouxes  had  completed  their  conquest,  and 
apparently  satisfied  with  this  addition  to  the  nume 
rous  previous  captures  they  had  made,  they  now 
seemed  content  to  let  the  remainder  of  the  herd  es 
cape.  A  dozen  remained  around  the  carcass,  over 
which  a  few  buzzards  were  balancing  themselves, 
with  steady  wings  and  greedy  eyes,  while  the  rest 
were  riding  about,  as  if  in  quest  of  such  further 
booty  as  might  come  in  their  way,  on  the  trail  of  so 
vast  a  drove.  The  trapper  measured  the  proportions, 
and  scanned  the  equipments  of  such  individuals  as 
drew  nearer  to  the  side  of  the  thicket,  with  careful 
eyes.  At  length  he  pointed  out  one  among  them,  to 
Middleton.,  as  Weucha. 

"  Now,  know  we  not  only  who  they  are,  but  their 
errand,"  the  old  man  continued,  deliberately  shaking 
his  head.  "  They  have  lost  the  trail  of  the  squatter 
and  are  on  its  hunt.  These  buffaloes  have  crossed 
their  path,  and  in  chasing  the  animals,  bad  luck  has 
led  them  in  open  sight  of  the  hill  on  which  the  brood 
of  Ishmael  have  harboured.  Do  you  see  yon  birds 
watching  for  the  offals  of  the  beast  they  have  killed  ? 
Therein  is  a  m'Jral  which  teaches  the  manner  of  a 


THE    PRAIRIE.  283 

prairie  life.  A  band  of  Pawnees  are  outlying  for 
these  very  Siouxes,  as  you  see  the  buzzards  looking 
down  for  their  food,  and  it  behoves  us,  as  Christian 
men  who  have  so  much  at  stake,  to  look  down  upon 
them  both.  Ha!  what  brings  yonder  two  skirting 
reptiles  to  a  stand !  As  you  live,  they  have  found  the 
place  where  the  miserable  son  of  the  squatter  met  his 
death!" 

The  old  man  was  not  mistaken.  Weucha,  and  a 
savage  who  accompanied  him,  had  reached  that  spot, 
which  has  already  been  mentioned  as  furnishing  such 
frightful  evidences  of  violence  and  bloodshed.  There 
they  sat  on  their  horses,  examining  the  well-known 
signs  with  all  the  intelligence  that  distinguishes  the 
habits  of  Indians.  Their  scrutiny  was  long,  and  ap 
parently  not  without  distrust.  At  length  they  both 
raised  a  cry  at  the  same  instant,  that  was  scarcely 
less  piteous  and  startling  than  that  which  the  hounds 
had  before  made  over  the  same  fatal  signs,  and  which 
did  not  fail  to  draw  the  whole  band  immediately 
around  them,  as  the  fell  bark  of  the  jackal  is  said  to 
gather  his  comrades  to  the  chase. 


CHAPTEK  XX. 

"  Welcome,  ancient  Pistol."—  Shakspeare. 

IT  was  not  long,  before  the  trapper  pointed  out 
ihe  commanding  person  of  Mahtoree,  as   the   leader 
of  the    Siouxes.     This    chief,  who   had  been  among 
the  last  to  obey  the  vociferous  summons  of  Weucha 
no  sooner  reached  the  spot,  where  his  whole  party 


284  THE   PRAIRIE. 

was  now  gathered,  than  he  threw  himself  from  his 
horse,  and  proceeded  to  examine  the  marks  of  the 
extraordinary  trail,  with  that  degree  of  dignity  and 
attention  which  became  his  high  and  responsible  sta 
tion.  The  warriors,  for  it  was  but  too  evident  that 
they  were  to  a  man  of  that  fearless  and  ruthless 
class,  awaited  the  result  of  his  investigation  with  pa 
tient  reserve ;  none  but  a  few  of  the  principal  braves 
presuming  even  to  speak,  while  their  leader  was  thus 
gravely  occupied.  It  was  several  minutes  before 
Mahtoree  seemed  satisfied.  He  then  directed  his 
eyes  along  the  ground  to  those  several  places  where 
Ishmael  had  found  the  same  revolting  evidences  of  the 
passage  of  some  bloody  struggle,  and  motioned  to  his 
people  to  follow. 

The  whole  band  advanced  in  a  body  towards  the 
thicket,  until  they  came  to  a  halt  within  a  few  yards 
of  the  precise  spot  where  Esther  had  stimulated  her 
sluggish  sons  to  break  into  the  cover.  The  reader 
will  readily  imagine  that  the  trapper  and  his  com 
panions  were  not  indifferent  observers  of  such  a 
threatening  movement.  The  old  man  summoned  all 
who  were  capable  of  bearing  arms  to  his  side,  and 
demanded,  in  very  unequivocal  terms,  though  in  a 
voice  that  was  suitably  lowered,  in  order  to  escape 
the  ears  of  their  dangerous  neighbours,  whether  they 
were  disposed  to  make  battle  for  their  liberty,  or 
whether  they  should  try  the  milder  expedient  of  con 
ciliation.  As  it  was  a  subject,  in  which  all  had  an 
equal  interest,  he  put  the  question  as  to  a  council  of 
war,  and  not  without  some  slight  exhibition  of  the 
lingering  vestiges  of  a  nearly  extinct  military  pride. 
Paul  and  the  Doctor  were  diametrically  opposed  to 
each  other  in  opinion ;  the  former  advocating  an  im 
mediate  appeal  to  arms,  and  the  latter  as  warmly  es 
pousing  the  policy  of  pacific  measures.  Middleton, 
who  saw  that  there  was  great  danger  of  a  hot  verbal 
dispute  between  two  men,  who  were  governed  by 


THE    PRAIRIE.  285 

feelings  so  entirely  different,  saw  fit  to  assume  the 
office  of  arbiter ;  or  rather  to  decide  the  question,  in 
virtue  of  his  situation  making  him  a  sort  of  umpire. 
He  also  leaned  to  the  side  of  peace,  for  he  evidently 
saw  that,  in  consequence  of  the  vast  superiority  of 
their  enemies,  violence  would  irretrievably  lead  to 
their  destruction. 

The  trapper  listened  to  the  reasons  of  the  young 
soldier  with  great  attention ;  and  as  they  were  given 
with  the  steadiness  of  one  who  did  not  suffer  appre 
hension  to  blind  his  judgment,  they  did  not  fail  to  pro 
duce  a  suitable  impression. 

"  It   is   rational,"    rejoined  the  trapper,    when  thet 
other  had  delivered  his  reasons;  "  It  is  very  rational,  1 
for  what  man  cannot  move  with  his  strength  he  must  \ 
circumvent  with  his  wits.     It  is   reason   that  makes  ' 
him  stronger  than  the  buffaloe   and  swifter  than  the 
moose.     Now   stay  you   here,  and   keep  yourselves 
close.     My  life  and  my  traps  are  but  of  little  value, 
when  the   welfare  of  so  many  human  souls  are  con 
cerned,  and,  moreover,   I  may  say  that  I  know  the 
windings   of  Indian   cunning.      Therefore   will  I  go 
alone  upon  the  prairie.     It  may  so  happen,  that  I  can 
yet  draw  the  eyes  of  a  Sioux  from  this  spot  and  give 
you  time  and  room  to  fly." 

As  if  resolved  to  listen  to  no  remonstrance,  the  old 
man  quietly  shouldered  his  rifle,  and  moving  leisurely 
through  the  thicket,  he  issued  on  the  plain,  at  a  point 
whence  he  might  first  appear  before  the  eyes  of  the 
Siouxes,  without  exciting  their  suspicion  that  he  came 
from  its  cover. 

The  instant  that  the  figure  of  a  man  dressed  in  the 
garb  of  a  hunter,  and  bearing  the  well  known  and 
much  dreaded  rifle,  appeared  before  the  eyes  of  the 
Siouxes,  there  was  a  sensible,  though  a  suppressed 
sensation  in  the  band.  The  artifice  of  the  trapper 
had  so  far  succeeded  as  to  render  k  extremely  doubt 
ful  whether  he  came  from  some  point  on  the  open 


286  THE    PRAIRIE. 

prairie,  or  from  the  thicket,  though  the  Indians  still 
continued  to  cast  frequent  and  suspicious  glances  at 
the  cover.  They  had  made  their  halt  at  the  distance 
of  an  arrow-flight  from  the  bushes,  but  when  the  stran 
ger  came  sufficiently  nigh  to  show  that  the  deep  coat 
ing  of  red  and  brown,  which  time  and  exposure  had 
given  to  his  features,  was  laid  upon  the  original  colour 
of  a  Pale-face,  they  slowly  receded  from  the  spot, 
until  they  reached  a  distance  that  might  render  the  aim 
of  fire-arms  less  fatal. 

In  the  mean  time  the  old  man  continued  to  advance, 
until  he  had  got  nigh  enough  to  make  himself  heard 
without  difficulty.  Here  he  stopped,  and  dropping 
his  rifle  to  the  earth,  he  raised  his  hand  with  the 
palm  outward,  in  token  of  peace.  After  uttering  a 
few  words  of  reproach  to  his  hound,  who  watched  the 
savage  groupe  with  eyes  that  seemed  to  recognise 
them,  as  the  former  captors  of  his  master,  he  spoke  in 
the  Sioux  tongue — 

"  My  brothers  are  welcome."  he  said  cunningly 
constituting  himself  the  master  of  the  region  in 
which  they  had  met,  and  assuming  the  offices  of  hos 
pitality.  "They  are  far  from  their  villages,  and  are 
hungry.  Will  they  follow  to  my  lodge,  to  eat  and 
sleep  ?" 

Nb  sooner  was  his  voice  heard,  than  the  yell  of 
pleasure,  which  burst  from  a  dozen  mouths,  convinced 
the  sagacious  trapper,  that  he  also  was  recognised. 
Feeling  that  it  was  too  late  to  retreat,  he  profited  by 
the  confusion  which  prevailed  among  them,  while 
Weucha  was  explaining  his  character,  to  advance, 
until  he  was  again  face  to  face  with  the  redoubtable 
Mahtoree  himself.  The  second  interview  between 
these  two  men,  each  of  whom  was  extraordinary  in 
his  way,  was  marked  by  the  usual  caution  of  the  fron 
tiers.  They  stood,  for  nearly  a  minute,  examining 
each  other  without  speaking. 

"  Wnere  are  your  young  men  ?"  sternly  demand- 


THE    PRAIRIE.  287 

ed  the  Teton  chieftain,  after  he  found  that  the  im- 
moveable  features  of  the  trapper  refused  to  betray 
any  of  their  master's  secrets  under  his  intimidating 
look. 

"  The  Long-knives  do  not  come  in  bands  to  trap 
the  beaver  ?  I  am  alone." 

"  Your  head  is  white,  but  you  have  a  forked 
tongue.  Mahtoree  has  been  in  your  camp.  He 
knows  that  you  are  not  alone.  Where  is  your  young 
wife,  and  the  warrior  that  I  found  upon  the  prairie  ?" 

"  I  have  no  wife.  I  have  told  my  brother  that  the 
woman  and  her  friend  were  strangers.  The  words 
of  a  gray  head  should  be  heard,  and  not  forgotten. 
The  Dahcotahs  found  travellers  asleep,  and  they 
thought  they  had  no  need  of  horses.  The  women 
and  children  of  a  Pale-face  are  not  used  to  go  far  on 
foot.  Let  them  be  sought  where  you  left  them." 

The  eyes  of  the  Teton  flashed  fire  as  he  answer 
ed — 

"  They  are  gone :  but  Mahtoree  is  a  wise  chief, 
and  his  eyes  can  see  a  great  distance  !" 

"  Does  the  partisan  of  the  Tetons  see  men  on 
these  naked  fields  ?"  retorted  the  trapper,  with  great 
steadiness  of  mien.  "  I  am  very  old,  and  my  eye* 
grow  dim.  Where  do  they  stand  ?" 

The  chief  remained  silent  a  moment,  as  if  he  dis 
dained  to  contest  any  further  the  truth  of  a  fact, 
concerning  which  he  was  already  satisfied.  Then 
pointing  to  the  traces  on  the  earth,  he  said,  with  9 
sudden  transition  to  mildness,  in  his  eye  and  man 
ner — 

"  My  father  has  learnt  wisdom,  in  many  winters 
can  he  tell  me  whose  moccasin  has  left  this  trail  ?" 

"  There  have  been  wolves  and  buffaloes  on  th«% 
prairies  ;  and  there  may  have  been  cougars  too." 

Mahtoree  glanced  his  eye  at  the  thicket,  as  if  he 
thought  the  latter  suggestion  not  impossible.  Point 


288  THE    PRAIRIE. 

ing  to  the  place,  he  ordered  his  young  men  to  recon- 
.ioitre  it  more  closely,  cautioning  them,  at  the  same 
time,  with  a  stern  look  at  the  trapper,  to  beware  of 
treachery  from  the  Big-knives.  Three  or  four  half- 
narked,  eager-looking  youths  lashed  their  horses  at 
the  word,  and  darted  away  to  obey  the  mandate. 
The  old  man  trembled  a  little  for  the  discretion  of 
Paul,  when  he  saw  this  demonstration.  The  Tetons 
encircled  the  place  two  or  three  times,  approaching 
nigher  and  nigher  at  each  circuit,  and  then  gallop- 
ped  back  to  their  leader  to  report  that  the  copse 
seemed  empty.  Notwithstanding  the  trapper  watch 
ed  the  eye  of  Mahtoree,  to  detect  the  inward  move 
ments  of  his  mind,  and  if  possible  to  anticipate,  in 
order  to  direct  his  suspicions,  the  utmost  sagacity  of 
one  so  long  accustomed  to  study  the  cold  habits  of 
the  Indian  race,  could  however  detect  no  symptom 
or  expression  that  denoted  how  far  he  credited  or 
distrusted  this  intelligence.  Instead  of  replying  to 
the  information  of  his  scouts,  he  spoke  kindly  to  his 
horse,  and  motioning  to  a  youth  to  receive  the  bri 
dle,  or  rather  halter,  by  which  he  governed  the  ani 
mal,  he  took  the  trapper  by  the  arm,  and  led  him  a 
little  apart  from  the  rest  of  the  band. 

"  Has  my  brother  been  a  warrior  ?"  said  the  wily 
Teton,  in  a  tone  that  he  intended  should  be  concilia 
ting. 

"  Do  the  leaves  cover  the  trees  in  the  season  of 
fruits  ?  Go.  The  Dahcotahs  have  not  seen  as  many 
warriors  living  as  I  have  looked  on  in  their  blood  ! 
But  what  signifies  idle  remembrancing,"  he  added 
in  English,  "  when  limbs  grow  stiff,  and  sight  is  fail- 
ing!" 

The  chief  regarded  him  a  moment  with  a  severe 
look,  as  if  he  would  lay  bare  the  falsehood  he  had 
neard,  but  meeting  in  the  calm  eye  and  steady  mien 
of  the  trapper  a  confirmation  of  the  truth  of  what 


THE    PRAIRIE.  289 

ht  said,  he  t>ok  the  hand  of  the  old  man  and  laid  it 
gently  on  his  head,  in  token  of  the  respect  that  was 
due  to  the  others  years  and  experience. 

"  Why  then  do  the  Big-knives  tell  their  red  breth 
ren  to  bury  the  tomahawk,"  he  said,  "  when  their 
own  young  men  never  forget  that  they  are  bravest 
and  meet  each  other  so  often  with  bloody  hands  ?" 

44  My  nation  is  more  numerous  than  the  buffaloes 
on  the  prairies,  or  the  pigeons  in  the  air.  Their 
quarrels  are  frequent ;  yet  their  warriors  are  few. 
None  go  out  on  the  war-path  but  they  who  are  gifted 
with  the  q-ualities  of  a  brave,  and  therefore  such  see 
many  battles." 

"It  is  not  so — my  father  is  mistaken,"  returned 
Mahtoree,  indulging  in  a  smile  of  exulting  penetra 
tion,  at  the  very  instant  he  corrected  the  force  of  his 
denial,  in  deference  to  the  years  and  services  of  one 
so  aged.  "  The  Big-knives  are  very  wise,  and  they 
are  men ;  all  of  them  would  be  warriors.  They 
would  leave  the  Red-skins  to  dig  roots  and  hoe  the 
corn.  But  a  Dahcotah  is  not  born  to  live  like  a  wo 
man;  he  must  strike  the  Pawnee  and  the  Omaha w, 
or  he  will  lose  the  name  of  his  fathers." 

"  The  Master  of  Life  looks  with  an  open  eye  on 
his  children,  who  die  in  a  battle  that  is  fought  for  the 
right ;  but  he  is  blind,  and  his  ears  are  shut  to  the 
cries  of  an  Indian,  who  is  killed  when  plundering  or 
doing  evil  to  his  neighbour." 

"  My  father  is  old  ;"  said  Mahtoree,  looking  at  his 
aged  companion,  with  an  expression  of  irony,  that 
sufficiently  denoted  he  was  one  of  those  who  over 
step  the  trammels  of  education,  and  who  are  perhaps 
a  little  given  to  abuse  the  mental  liberty  they  thus 
obtain.  "  He  is  very  old  :  Has  he  made  a  journey 
to  the  far  country ;  and  has  he  been  at  the  trouble 
to  come  back,  to  tell  the  young  men  what  he  has 
seen  ?" 

"Teton,"    returned   the    trapper,   throwing    the 
2  B 


290  THE    PRAIRIE. 

breech  of  his  rifle  to  the  earth  with  startling  vehe 
mence,  and  regarding  his  companion  with  steady  se 
renity,  "  I  have  heard  that  there  are  men,  among  my 
people,  who  study  their  great  medicines  until  they 
believe  themselves  to  be  gods,  and  who  laugh  at  al 
faith  except  in  their  own  vanities.  It  may  be  true. 
It  is  true  ;  for  I  have  seen  them.  When  man  is  shut 
up  in  towns  and  schools,  with  his  own  follies,  it  may 
be  easy  to  believe  himself  greater  than  the  Master 
of  Life  ;  but  a  warrior,  who  lives  in  a  house  with 
the  clouds  for  its  roof,  where  he  can  at  any  moment 
look  both  at  the  heavens  and  at  the  earth,  and  who 
daily  sees  the  power  of  the  Great  Spirit,  should  be 
more  humble.  A  Dahcotah  chieftain  ought  to  be  too 
wise  to  laugh  at  justice." 

The  crafty  Mahtoree,  who  saw  that  his  free-think 
ing  was  not  likely  to  produce  a  favourable  impression 
^  on  the  old  man,  instantly  changed  his  ground,  by  al- 

\  luding  to  the  more  immediate  subject  of  their  inter 

view.  Laying  his  hand  gently  on  the  shoulder  of 
the  trapper,  he  led  him  forward,  until  they  both 
stood  within  fifty  feet  of  the  margin  of  the  thicket. 
Here  he  fastened  his  penetrating  eyes  on  the  other's 
honest  countenance,  and  continued  the  discourse — 

"  If  my  father  has  hid  his  young  men  in  the  bush, 
let  him  tell  them  to  come  forth.  You  see  that  a 
Dahcotah  is  not  afraid.  Mahtoree  is  a  great  chief ! 
A  warrior,  whose  head  is  white,  and  who  is  about  to 
go  to  the  Land  of  Spirits,  cannot  have  a  tongue  with 
two  ends,  like  a  serpent." 

"  Dahcotah,  I  have  told  no  lie.  Since  the  Great 
Spirit  made  me  a  man,  I  have  lived  in  the  wilder 
ness,  or  on  these  naked  plains,  without  lodge  or  fam 
ily.  I  am  a  hunter  and  go  on  my  path  alone." 

"  My  father  has  a  good  carabine.  Let  him  point 
it  in  the  bush  and  fire." 

The  old  man  hesitated  a  moment,  and  then  slowly 
prepared  himself  to  give  this  delicate  assurance  of 


THE    PRAIRIE.  291 

the  truth  of  what  he  said,  without  which  he  plainly 
perceived  the  suspicions  of  his  crafty  companion 
could  not  be  lulled.  As  he  lowered  his  rifle,  his 
eye,  although  greatly  dimmed  and  weakened  by  age, 
ran  over  the  confused  collection  of  objects,  that  lay 
embedded  amid  the  party-coloured  foliage  of  the 
thicket,  until  it  succeeded  in  catching  a  glimpse  of 
the  brown  covering  of  the  stem  of  a  small  tree. 
With  this  object  in  view,  he  raised  the  piece  to  a 
level  and  fired.  The  bullet  had  no  sooner  glided 
from  the  barrel  than  a  tremor  seized  the  hands  of 
the  trapper,  which,  had  it  occurred  a  moment  soon 
er,  would  have  utterly  disqualified  him  for  such  a 
hazardous  experiment.  A  frightful  silence  for  an  in 
stant  succeeded  the  report,  during  which  he  expect 
ed  to  hear  the  shrieks  of  the  females,  and  then,  as 
the  smoke  whirled  away  in  the  wind,  he  caught  a 
view  of  the  fluttering  bark,  and  felt  assured  that  all 
his  former  skill  was  not  entirely  departed  from  him. 
Dropping  the  piece  to  the  earth,  he  turned  again  to 
his  companion  with  an  air  of  the  utmost  composure, 
and  demanded — 

"  Is  my  brother  satisfied  ?" 

"  Mahtoree  is  a  chief  of  the  Dahcotahs  •,"  return 
ed  the  cunning  Teton,  laying  his  hand  on  his  chest, 
in  acknowledgment  of  the  other's  sincerity.  "  He 
knows  that  a  warrior,  who  has  smoked  at  so  many 
council-fires,  until  his  head  has  grown  white,  would 
not  be  found  in  wicked  company.  But  did  not  my 
father  once  ride  on  a  horse,  like  a  rich  chief  of  the 
Pale-faces,  instead  of  travelling  on  foot  like  a  hungry 
Konza?" 

"  Never !  The  Wahcondah  has  given  me  legs  and 
he  has  given  me  resolution  to  use  them.  For  sixty 
summers  and  winters  did  I  journey  in  the  woods  of 
America,  and  ten  tiresome  years  have  I  dwelt  on 
these  open  fields,  without  finding  need  to  call  often 


292  THE    PRAIRIE. 

upon  the  gifts  of  the  other  creator's  of  the  Lord  to 
carry  me  from  place  to  place." 

•;  If  my  father  has  so  long  lived  in  the  shade,  why 
has  he  come  upon  the  prairies  ?  The  sun  will  scorch 
him." 

The  old  man  looked  sorrowfully  about  for  a  mo 
ment,  and  then  turning  with  a  sort  of  confidential  ail- 
to  the  other,  he  replied — 

"  1  passed  the  spring,  summer,  and  autumn  of  life 
among  the  trees.  The  winter  of  my  days  had  come, 
and  found  me  where  I  loved  to  be,  in  the  quiet — ay, 
and  in  the  honesty  of  the  woods !  Teton,  then  I 
slept  happily  where  my  eyes  could  look  up  through 
the  branches  of  the  pines  and  the  beeches,  to  the 
very  dwelling  of  the  Good  Spirit  of  my  people.  If 
I  had  need  to  open  my  heart  to  him,  while  his  fires 
were  burning  above  my  head,  the  door  was  open  and 
before  my  eyes.  But  the  axes  of  the  choppers  awoke 
me.  For  a  long  time  my  ears  heard  nothing,  but  the 
uproar  of  clearings.  I  bore  it  like  a  warrior  and  a 
man ;  there  was  a  reason  that  I  should  bear  it :  but 
when  that  reason  was  ended,  I  bethought  me  to  get 
beyond  the  accursed  sounds.  It  was  trying  to  the 
courage  and  to  the  habits,  but  I  had  heard  of  these 
vast  and  naked  fields,  and  I  came  hither  to  escape 
the  wasteful  temper  of  my  people.  Tell  me,  Dah- 
cotah,  have  I  not  done  well  ?" 

The  trapper  laid  his  long  lean  finger  on  the  naked 
shoulder  of  the  Indian  as  he  ended,  and  seemed  to 
demand  his  felicitations  on  his  ingenuity  and  success, 
with  a  ghastly  smile,  in  which  triumph  was  singularly 
blended  with  regret.  His  companion  listened  intent 
ly,  and  replied  to  the  question  by  saying,  in  the  sen 
tentious  manner  of  his  race — 

"  The  head  of  my  father  is  very  gray  ;  he  has  al 
ways  lived  with  men,  and  he  has  seen  every  thing. 
What  he  does  is  good  ;  what  he  speaks  is  wise.  Now 


THE    PRAIRIE.  293 

let  him  say,  is  he  sure  that  he  is  a  stranger  to  the 
Big-knives,  who  are  looking  for  their  beasts  on  every 
side  of  the  prairies  and  cannot  find  them  ?" 

"  Dahcotah,  what  I  have  said  is  true.  I  live  alone, 
and  never  do  I  mingle  with  men  whose  skins  are 
white,  if—" 

His  mouth  was  suddenly  closed  by  an  interruption 
that  was  as  mortifying  as  it  was  unexpected.  The 
words  were  still  on  his  tongue,  when  the  bushes  on 
the  side  of  the  thicket  where  they  stood,  opened,  and 
the  whole  of  the  party  whom  he  had  just  left,  and 
in  whose  behalf  he  was  endeavouring  to  reconcile 
his  love  of  truth  to  the  necessity  of  prevaricating, 
came  openly  into  view.  A  pause  of  mute  astonish 
ment  succeeded  this  unlooked-for  spectacle.  Then 
Mahtoree,  who  did  not  suffer  a  muscle  or  a  joint  to 
betray  the  wonder  and  surprise  he  actually  experien 
ced,  motioned  towards  the  advancing  friends  of  the 
trapper  with  an  air  of  assumed  civility  and  a  smile, 
that  lighted  his  fierce,  dark  visage,  as  the  glare  of  the 
setting  sun  reveals  the  vast  volumes  and  portentous 
load  of  the  cloud  that  is  seen  charged  to  bursting 
with  the  electric  fluid.  He  however  disdained  to 
speak,  or  to  give  any  other  evidence  of  his  inten 
tions  than  by  calling  to  his  side  the  distant  band, 
who  sprang  forward  at  his  beck  with  the  alacrity  of 
willing  subordinates. 

In  the  mean  time  the  friends  of  the  old  man  con 
tinued  to  advance.  Middleton  himself  was  foremost, 
supporting  the  light  and  aerial  looking  figure  of  Inez, 
on  whose  anxious  and  speaking  countenance  he  cast 
such  occasional  glances  of  tender  interest  as,  in  sim 
ilar  circumstances,  a  father  would  have  given  to  his 
child.  Paul  led  Ellen  close  in  their  rear.  But  while 
the  eye  of  the  bee-hunter  did  not  neglect  his  bloom 
ing  companion,  it  scowled  angrily,  resembling  more 
the  aspect  of  the  sullen  and  retreating  bear  than  the 
soft  intelligence  of  a  favoured  suitor.  Obed  and 
2  B  2 


294  THE    PRAIRIE. 

Asinus  came  last,  the  former  leading  his  companion 
with  a  degree  of  fondness  that  could  hard^  be  said 
to  be  exceeded  by  any  other  of  the  party.  The  ap 
proach  of  the  naturalist  was  far  less  rapid  than  that 
of  those  who  preceded  him.  His  feet  seemed  equally 
reluctant  to  advance  or  to  remain  stationary ;  his 
position  bearing  a  great  analogy  to  that  of  Ma 
homet's  coffin,  with  the  exception  that  the  quality  of 
repulsion  rather  than  that  of  attraction  held  him  in 
a  state  of  rest.  The  repulsive  power  in  his  rear 
however  appeared  to  predominate,  and  by  a  singular 
exception,  as  he  would  have  said  himself,  to  all  phi 
losophical  principles,  it  rather  increased  than  dimin 
ished  by  distance.  As  the  eyes  of  the  naturalist 
steadily  maintained  a  position  that  was  the  opposite 
of  his  route,  they  served  to  give  a  direction  to  those 
of  the  observers  of  all  these  movements,  and  at  once 
furnished  a  sufficient  clue  by  which  to  unravel  the 
mystery  of  so  sudden  a  debouchement  from  the 
cover. 

Another  cluster  of  stout  and  armed  men  was  seen 
at  no  great  distance,  just  rounding  a  point  of  the 
thicket,  and  moving  directly  though  cautiously  to 
wards  the  place  where  the  band  of  the  Siouxes  was 
posted,  as  a  squadron  of  cruisers  is  often  seen  to 
steer  across  the  waste  of  waters,  towards  the  rich 
but  well-protected  convoy.  In  short,  the  family  of 
the  squatter,  or  at  least  such  among  them  as  were 
capable  of  bearing  arms,  appeared  in  view,  on  the 
broad  prairie,  evidently  bent  on  revenging  their 
wrongs. 

Mahtoree  and  his  party  slowly  retired  from  the 
thicket,  the  moment  they  caught  a  view  of  the  stran 
gers,  until  they  halted  on  a  swell  that  commanded  a 
wide  and  unobstructed  view  of  the  naked  fields  on 
which  they  stood.  Here  the  Dahcotah  appeared  dis 
posed  to  make  his  stand,  and  to  bring  matters  to  an 
issue.  Notwithstanding  this  retreat,  in  which  he 


THE    PRAIRIE. 


295 


compelled  the  trapper  to  accompany  him,  Middleton 
still  advanced,  until  he  too  halted  on  the  same  eleva 
tion  and  within  speaking  distance  of  the  warlike 
Siouxes.  The  borderers  in  their  turn  took  a  favour 
able  position,  though  at  a  much  greater  distance. 
The  three  groups  now  resembled  so  many  fleets  at 
sea,  lying  with  their  topsails  to  the  masts,  with  the 
commendable  precaution  of  reconnoitring  before 
each  could  ascertain  who  among  the  strangers  might 
be  considered  as  friends  and  who  as  foes. 

During  this  moment  of  suspense,  the  dark,  threat 
ening  eye  of  Mahtoree  rolled  from  one  of  the  strange 
parties  to  the  other,  in  keen  and  hasty  examination, 
and  then  it  turned  its  withering  look  on  the  old  man, 
as  the  chief  said,  in  a  tone  of  high  and  bitter  scorn — 

"  The  Big-knives  are  fools  !  It  is  easier  to  catch 
the  cougar  asleep  than  to  find  a  blind  Dahcotah. 
Did  the  white  head  think  to  ride  on  the  horse  of  a 
Sioux  ?" 

The  trapper,  who  had  found  time  to  collect  his 
perplexed  faculties,  saw  at  once  that  Middleton,  hav 
ing  perceived  Ishmael  on  the  trail  by  which  they  had 
fled,  preferred  trusting  to  the  hospitality  of  the  sav 
ages,  than  to  the  treatment  he  would  be  likely  to  re 
ceive  from  the  hands  of  the  squatter.  He  therefore 
disposed  himself  to  clear  the  way  for  the  favourable 
reception  of  his  friends,  since  he  found  that  the  un 
natural  coalition  became  necessary  to  secure  the  lib 
erty  if  not  the  lives  of  the  party. 

"  Did  my  brother  ever  go  on  a  war-path  to  strike 
my  people  ?"  he  calmly  demanded  of  the  indignant 
chief,  who  still  awaited  his  reply. 

The  lowering  aspect  of  the  Teton  warrior  so  far 
lost  its  severity,  as  to  suffer  a  gleam  of  pleasure  and 
triumph  to  lighten  its  ferocity,  as  sweeping  his  arm 
in  an  entire  circle  around  his  person  he  answered— 

"  What  tribe  or  nation  has  not  felt  the  blows  of 
the  Dahcotahs  ?  Mahtoree  is  their  partisan." 


296  THE    PRAIRIE. 

"  And  has  he  found  the  Big-knives  women,  or  has 
he  found  them  men  ?" 

A  multitude  of  fierce  passions  seemed  struggling 
together  in  the  tawny  countenance  of  the  Indian,  as 
he  heard  this  interrogatory.  For  a  moment  inex 
tinguishable  hatred  seemed  to  hold  the  mastery,  and 
then  a  nobler  expression,  and  one  that  better  became 
the  character  of  a  brave  warrior,  got  possession  of  his 
features,  and  maintained  itself  until,  first  throwing 
aside  his  light  robe  of  pictured  deer-skin  and  pointing 
to  the  scar  of  a  bayonet  in  his  breast,  he  replied — 

"  It  was  given  as  it  was  taken,  face  to  face." 

"  It  is  enough.  My  brother  is  a  brave  chief,  and 
he  should  be  a  wise  one.  Let  him  look ;  is  that  a 
warrior  of  the  Pale-faces  ?  Was  it  one  such  as  that 
who  gave  the  great  Dahcotah  his  hurt?" 

The  eyes  of  Mahtoree  followed  the  direction  of  the 
old  man's  extended  arm,  until  they  rested  on  the 
drooping  form  of  Inez.  The  look  of  the  Teton  was 
long,  riveted  and  admiring.  Like  that  of  the  young 
Pawnee,  it  resembled  more  the  gaze  of  a  mortal  on 
some  heavenly  image,  than  the  admiration  with  which 
man  is  wont  to  contemplate  even  the  loveliness  of 
woman.  Starting  as  if  suddenly  self-convicted  of  for- 
getfulness,  the  chief  next  turned  his  eyes  on  Ellen, 
where  they  lingered  an  instant  with  a  much  more  in 
telligible  expression  of  admiration,  and  then  pursued 
their  course  until  they  had  taken  another  glance  a£ 
each  individual  of  the  party. 

"  My  brother  sees  that  my  tongue  is  not  forked,11 
continued  the  trapper,  watching  the  emotions  the 
other  betrayed  with  a  readiness  of  comprehension 
little  inferior  to  that  of  the  Teton  himself.  "  The 
Big-knives  do  not  send  their  women  to  war.  I  know 
that  the  Dahcotahs  will  smoke  with  the  strangers." 

"  Mahtoree  is  a  great  chief.  The  Big-knives  are 
welcome,"  said  the  Teton,  laying  his  hand  on  his 
breast,  with  an  air  of  lofty  politeness  that  would  hav« 


THE  PRAIRIE.  207 

done  credit  to  any  state  of  society.  "  The  arrows  of 
my  young  men  are  in  their  quivers."  j 

The  trapper  motioned  to  Middleton  to  approach, 
and  in  a  few  moments  the  two  parties  were  blended 
in  one,  each  of  the  males  having  exchanged  friendly 
Greetings  after  the  fashions  of  the  prairie  warriors. 
But,  even  while  engaged  in  this  hospitable  manner, 
the  Dahcotah  did  not  fail  to  keep  a  strict  watch  on 
the  more  distant  party  of  white  men,  as  though  he 
still  distrusted  an  artifice  or  sought  a  further  explana 
tion,  The  old  man  in  his  turn  perceived  the  necessity 
of  being  more  explicit,  and  of  securing  the  slight  and 
equivocal  advantage  he  had  already  obtained.  While 
affecting  to  examine  the  groupe,  which  still  lingered 
at  the  spot  where  it  had  first  halted,  as  if  to  discover 
the  characters  of  those  who  composed  it,  he  plainly 
saw  that  Ishmael  contemplated  immediate  hostilities. 
The  result  of  a  conflict  on  the  open  prairie,  between 
a  dozen  resolute  border-men,  and  the  half-armed  na 
tives,  even  though  seconded  by  their  white  allies,  was 
in  his  experienced  judgment  a  point  of  great  uncer 
tainty,  and  though  far  from  reluctant  to  engage  in  the 
struggle  on  account  of  himself,  the  aged  trapper 
thought  it  far  more  worthy  of  his  years  and  his  cha 
racter  to  avoid  than  to  court  the  contest.  His  feel 
ings  were  for  obvious  reasons  in  accordance  with 
those  of  Piul  and  Middleton,  who  had  lives  still  more 
precious  than  their  own  to  watch  over  and  protect. 
In  this  dilemma  the  three  consulted  on  the  means  of 
escaping  the  frightful  consequences,  which  might  im 
mediately  follow  a  single  act  of  hostility  on  the  part 
of  the  borderers,  the  old  man  taking  care  that  their 
communication  should,  in  the  eyes  of  those  who  no 
ted  the  expression  of  their  countenances  with  jealous 
watchfulness,  bear  the  appearance  of  explanations  as 
to  the  reason,  why  such  a  party  of  travellers  was  met 
so  far  in  the  deserts. 

"  I  know  that  the  Dahcotahs  are  a  wise  and  great 


298  THE    PRAIRIE. 

people,"  at  length  the  trapper  commenced,  again  ad 
dressing  himself  to  the  chief;  "  but  does  not  their 
partisan  know  a  single  brother  who  is  base?" 

The  eye  of  Mahtoree  wandered  proudly  around 
his  band,  but  rested  a  moment  reluctantly  on  VYeucha, 
as  he  answered — 

"  The  Master  of  Life  has  made  chiefs,  and  warriors, 
and  women ;"  conceiving  that  he  thus  embraced  all 
the  gradations  of  human  excellence  from  the  highest 
to  the  lowest. 

"  And  he  has  also  made  Pale-faces,  who  are  wicked. 
Such  are  they  whom  my  brother  sees  yonder." 

"  Do  they  go  on  foot  to  do  wrong?"  demanded  the 
Teton,with  a  wild  gleam  from  his  eyes,  that  sufficiently 
betrayed  how  well  he  knew  the  reason  why  they  were 
reduced  to  so  humble  an  expedient. 

"  Their  beasts  are  gone.  But  their  powder,  and 
their  lead,  and  their  blankets  still  remain." 

"  Do  they  carry  their  riches  in  their  hands  like 
miserable  Konzas?  or  are  they  brave,  and  leave 
them  with  the  women,  as  men  should  do,  who  know 
where  to  find  what  they  lose." 

"  My  brother  sees  the  spot  of  blue  across  the  prai 
rie  ;  look,  the  sun  has  touched  it  for  the  last  time  to 
day." 

"  Mahtoree  is  not  a  mole." 

"  It  is  a  rock,  and  on  it  are  the  goods  of  the  Big- 
knives." 

An  expression  of  savage  joy  shot  into  the  dark 
countenance  of  the  Teton  as  he  listened;  turning  to 
the  old  man  he  seemed  to  read  his  soul  for  an  instant, 
as  if  to  assure  himself  he  was  not  deceived.  Then  he 
bent  his  look  on  the  party  of  Ishmael  and  counted  its 
number. 

"  One  warrior  is  wanting,"  he  said. 

"  Does  my  brother  see  the  buzzards  ?  there  is  his 
grave.  Did  he  find  blood  on  the  prairie?  it  was  his.' 

"Enough1  Mahtoree  is  a  wise  chief.     Put  your 


THE    PRAIRIE.  299 

women  on  the  horses  of  the  Dahcotahs;  we  shall 
see,  for  our  eyes  are  open  very  wide." 

The  trapper  wasted  no  unnecessary  words  in  fur 
ther  explanations.  Familiar  with  the  brevity  and 
promptitude  of  the  natives,  he  immediately  com 
municated  the  result  to  his  companions.  Paul  was 
mounted  in  an  instant,  with  Ellen  at  his  back.  A 
few  more  moments  were  necessary  to  assure  Middle- 
ton  of  the  security  and  ease  of  Inez.  While  he  was 
thus  engaged  Mahtoree  advanced  to  the  side  of  the 
beast  he  had  allotted  to  this  service,  which  was  his 
own,  and  manifested  an  intention  to  occupy  his  cus 
tomary  place  on  its  back.  The  young  soldier  seized 
the  reins  of  the  animal,  and  glances  of  sudden  anger 
and  lofty  pride  were  exchanged  between  them. 

**  No  man  takes  this  seat  but  myself,1'  said  Middle- 
ton,  sternly,  in  English, 

"  Mahtoree  is  a  great  chief!"  retorted  the  savage ; 
neither  comprehending  the  meaning  of  the  other's 
words. 

"  The  Dahcotah  will  be  too  late,"  whispered  the 
old  man  at  his  elbow,  "  see;  the  Big-knives  are  afraid 
and  they  will  soon  run," 

The  Teton  chief  instantly  abandoned  his  claim, 
and  threw  himself  on  another  horse,  directing  one  of 
his  young  men  to  furnish  a  similar  accommodation 
for  the  trapper.  The  warriors,  who  were  dismount 
ed,  got  up  behind  as  many  of  their  companions. 
Doctor  Battius  bestrode  Asinus,  and  notwithstanding 
(he  brief  interruption,  in  half  the  time  we  have  taken 
to  relate  it  the  whole  party  was  prepared  to  move. 

When  he  saw  that  all  were  ready,  Mahtoree  gave 
the  signal  to  advance.  A  few  of  the  best  mounted 
of  the  warriors,  the  chief  himself  included,  moved  a 
little  in  front,  and  made  a  threatening  demonstration, 
as  if  they  intended  to  attack  the  strangers.  The 
squatter,  who  was  in  truth  slowly  retiring,  instantly 
halted  his  party,  and  showed  a  willing  front.  Instead 


300  THE    PRAIRIE. 

however  of  coming  within  reach  of  the  dangerous 
aim  of  the  western  rifle,  the  subtle  savages  kept 
wheeling  about  the  strangers,  until  they  had  made  a 
half  circuit,  keeping  the  latter  in  constant  expecta 
tion  of  an  assault.  Then  perfectly  secure  of  their 
object,  the  Tetons  raised  a  loud  shout  and  darted 
across  the  prairie  in  a  line  for  the  distant  rock,  with 
the  directness  and  nearly  with  the  velocity  of  the  ar 
row  that  has  just  been  shot  from  its  bow, 


CHAPTEE  XXI. 

"  Dally  not  with  the  gods,  but  get  thee  gone. 
Signor  Baptista,  shall  I  lead  the  way  .?TT 

Shakspeare. 

MAHTOREE  had  scarcely  given  the  first  intimation 
of  his  real  design,  before  a  general  discharge  from  the 
borderers  proved  how  well  they  understood  it.  The 
distance,  and  the  rapidity  of  the  flight  however,  ren 
dered  their  fire  perfectly  harmless.  As  a  proof  ho\* 
little  he  regarded  the  hostility  of  their  party,  the  Dah- 
cotah  chieftain  answered  the  report  with  a  yell,  and, 
flourishing  his  carabine  above  his  head,  he  made  a  cir 
cuit  on  the  plain,  followed  by  his  chosen  warriors,  as 
if  in  very  scorn  of  the  impotent  attempt  of  his  ene 
mies.  As  the  main  body  continued  the  direct  course, 
this  little  band  of  the  elite  in  returning  from  its  wild 
exhibition  of  savage  contempt,  took  its  place  in  the 
rear,  with  a  dexterity  and  a  concert  of  action  that 
showed  the  manoeuvre  had  been  contemplated. 

Volley  swiftly  succeeded  volley,  until  the  enraged 
squatter  was  reluctantly  compelled  to  abandon  the 
idea  of  injuring  his  enemies  by  means  so  feeble.  Re 
linquishing  his  fruitless  attempt,  he  commenced  a 
rapid  pursuit,  occasionally  discharging  a  rifle,  in 


THE    PRAIRIE  301 

ord^r  to  give  the  alarm  to  the  garrison,  which  he  had 
prudently  left  under  the  command  of  the  redoubtable 
Esther  herself.  In  this  manner  the  chace  was  con 
tinued  for  many  minutes,  the  horsemen  gradually 
gaining  on  their  pursuers,  who  maintained  the  race, 
however,  with  an  incredible  power  of  foot. 

As  the  little  speck  of  blue  rose  against  the  heav 
ens,  like  an  island  issuing  from  the  deep,  the  savages 
occasionally  raised  a  yell  of  triumph.  But  the  mists 
of  evening  were  already  gathering  along  the  whole 
of  the  eastern  margin  of  the  prairie,  and  before  the 
band  had  made  half  of  the  necessary  distance,  the 
dim  outline  of  the  rock  had  melted  into  the  haze  of 
the  back-ground.  Indifferent  to  this  circumstance, 
which  rather  favoured  than  disconcerted  his  plans, 
Mahtoree,  who  had  again  ridden  in  front,  held  on  his 
course  with  the  accuracy  of  a  hound  of  the  truest 
scent,  merely  slackening  his  speed  a  little,  as  the 
horses  of  his  party  were  by  this  time  thoroughly 
blown.  It  was  at  this  stage  of  the  enterprise  that  the 
old  man  rode  up  to  the  side  of  Middleton,  and  ad 
dressed  him  as  follows  in  English — 

"  Here  is  likely  to  be  a  thieving  business,  and  one 
in  which  I  must  say  I  have  but  a  small  relish  to  be  a 
partner." 

"  What  would  you  do  ?  It  would  be  fatal  to  trust 
ourselves  in  the  hands  of  the  miscreants  in  our  rear." 

"  Tut,  for  miscreants,  be  they  red  or  be  they  white. 
Look  ahead,  lad,  as  if  ye  were  talking  of  our  medi 
cines,  or  perhaps  praising  the  Teton  beasts.  For  the 
knaves  love  to  hear  their  horses  commended,  the 
same  as  a  foolish  mother  in  the  settlements  is  fond 
of  hearing  the  praises  of  her  wilful  child.  So ;  pat 
the  animal  and  lay  your  hand  on  the  gew-gaws,  with 
which  the  Red-skins  have  ornamented  his  mane, 
giving  your  eye  as  it  were  to  one  thing,  and  your 
mind  to  another.  Listen;  if  matters  are  managed 
2C 


M)2  THE    PRAIRIE. 

with  judgment  we  may  leave  these  Tetons,  as  the 
night  sets  in." 

"  A  blessed  thought!1'  exclaimed  Middleton,  who 
retained  a  painful  remembrance  of  the  look  of  ad 
miration,  with  which  Mahtoree  had  contemplated  the 
loveliness  of  Inez,  as  well  as  of  his  subsequent  pre 
sumption  in  daring  to  wish  to  take  the  office  of  her 
protector  on  himself. 

"  Lord,  Lord !  what  a  weak  creatur1  is  man,  when 
the  gifts  of  natur'  are  smothered  in  bookish  knowledge 
and  womanly  manners.  Such  another  start  would 
tell  these  imps  at  our  elbows  that  we  were  plotting 
against  them,  just  as  plainly  as  if  it  were  whispered 
in  their  ears  by  a  Sioux  tongue.  Ay,  ay,  I  know  the 
devils ;  they  look  as  innocent  as  so  many  frisky  fawns, 
but  there  is  not  one  among  them  all  that  has  not  an 
eye  on  our  smallest  motions.  Therefore,  what  is  to 
be  done  is  to  be  done  in  wisdom,  in  order  to  circum 
vent  their  cunning.  That  is  right,  pat  his  neck  and 
smile,  as  if  you  praised  the  horse,  and  keep  the  ear 
on  my  side  open  to  my  words.  Be  careful  not  to 
worry  your  beast,  for  though  but  little  skilled  in  hor 
ses,  reason  teaches  that  breath  is  needful  in  a  hard 
push,  and  that  a  weary  leg  makes  a  dull  race.  Be 
ready  to  mind  the  signal,  when  you  hear  a  whine 
from  old  Hector.  The  first  will  be  to  make  ready ; 
the  second,  to  edge  out  of  the  crowd,  and  the  third, 
to  go — am  I  understood." 

"  Perfectly,  perfectly,"  said  Middleton,  trembling 
in  his  excessive  eagerness  to  put  the  plan  in  instant 
execution,  and  pressing  the  little  arm,  which  encir 
cled  his  body,  to  his  heart.  "  Perfectly.  Hasten, 
hasten." 

"  Ay,  the  beast  is  no  sloth,"  continued  the  trapper 
in  the  Teton  language,  as  if  he  continued  the  dis 
course,  edging  cautiously  through  the  dusky  throng 
at  the  same  time,  until  he  found  himself  riding  at  the 


THE    PRAIRIE.  303 

aide  of  Paul.  He  communicated  his  intentions  in 
tho  same  guarded  manner  as  before.  The  high-spir 
ited  and  fearless  bee-hunter  received  the  intelligence 
with  delight,  declaring  his  readiness  to  engage  the 
whole  of  the  savage  band,  should  it  become  neces 
sary  to  effect  their  object.  When  the  old  man  drew 
off  from  the  side  of  this  pair  also,  he  cast  his  eyes 
about  him  to  discover  the  situation  occupied  by  the 
naturalist. 

The  Doctor,  with  infinite  labour  to  himself  and 
Asinus,  had  maintained  a  position  in  the  very  centre 
of  the  Siouxes,  so  long  as  there  existed  the  smallest 
reason  for  believing  that  any  of  the  missiles  of  Ish- 
mael  might  arrive  in  contact  with  his  person.  After 
this  danger  had  diminished,  or  rather  disappeared 
entirely,  his  own  courage  revived  while  that  of  his 
steed  began  to  droop.  To  this  mutual  but  very  ma 
terial  change  was  owing  the  fact,  that  the  rider  and 
the  ass  were  now  to  be  sought  among  that  portion  of 
the  band  who  formed  a  sort  of  rear-guard.  Hither 
then  the  trapper  contrived  to  turn  his  steed,  without 
exciting  the  suspicions  of  any  of  his  subtle  com 
panions. 

"  Friend,"  commenced  the  old  man,  when  he 
found  himself  in  a  situation  favourable  to  discourse — 
"  Should  you  like  to  pass  a  dozen  years  among  the 
savages  with  a  shaved  head,  and  a  painted  counte 
nance,  with  perhaps  a  couple  of  wives  and  five  or 
six  children  of  the  half-breed,  to  call  you  father?" 

"Impossible!"  exclaimed  the  startled  naturalist. | 
"  1  am  indisposed  to  matrimony  in  general,  and  more  1 
especially  to  all  admixture  of  the  varieties  of  species^  \ 
which  only  tend  to  tarnish  the  beauty  and  to  inter 
rupt  the  harmony  of  nature.     Moreover  it  is  a  pain 
ful  innovation  on  the  order  of  all  nomenclatures." 

"  Ay,  ay,  you  have  reason  enough  for  your  distaste 
to  such  a  life,  but  should  these  Siouxes  get  you  fairly 
into  their  village,  such  would  be  your  luck,  as  certain 


304  THE    PRAIRIE. 

as  that  the  sun  rises  and  sets  at  the  pleasure  of  the 
Lord." 

"  Marry  me  to  a  woman  who  is  not  adorned  with 
the  comeliness  of  the  species!"  responded  the  Doctor. 
"  Of  what  crime  have  I  been  guilty,  that  so  grievous 
a  punishment  should  await  the  offence  ?  To  marry  a 
man  against  the  movements  of  his  will  is  to  do  a  vio 
lence  to  human  nature!" 

"  Now,  that  you  speak  of  natur\  I  have  hopes  thai 
the  gift  of  reason  has  not  altogether  deserted  your 
brain,"  returned  the  old  man,  with  a  covert  expres 
sion  playing  about  the  angles  of  his  deep-set  eyes, 
which  betrayed  he  was  not  entirely  destitute  of  hu 
mour.  "  Nay,  they  may  conceive  you  a  remarkable 
subject  for  their  kindness,  and  for  that  matter  marry 
you  to  five  or  six.  I  have  known,  in  my  days, 
favoured  chiefs,  who  had  numberless  wives." 

"  But  why  should  they  meditate  this  vengeance  ?" 
demanded  the  Doctor,  whose  hair  began  to  rise,  as  if 
each  fibre  was  possessed  of  sensibility;  "what  evil 
have  1  done?" 

"  It  is  the  fashion  of  their  kindness.  When  they 
come  to  learn  that  you  are  a  great  medicine,  they 
will  adopt  you  in  the  tribe,  and  some  mighty  chief 
will  give  you  his  name,  and  perhaps  his  daughter,  or 
it  may  be  a  wife  or  two  of  his  own,  who  have  dwelt 
long  in  his  lodge,  and  of  whose  value  he  is  a  judge 
by  experience." 

"  The  Governor  and  Founder  of  natural  harmony 
protect  me!"  ejaculated  the  Doctor.  "I  have  no 
affinity  to  a  single  consort ;  much  less  to  duplicates 
and  triplicates  of  the  class!  I  shall  certainly  essay  a 
flight  from  their  abodes  before  I  mingle  in  so  violent 
a  conjunction." 

"  There  is  reason  in  your  words  ;  but  why  not  at 
tempt  the  race,  you  speak  of,  now  ?" 

The  naturalist  looked  fearfully  around  him,  as  if 
he  had  an  inclination  to  make  an  instant  exhibition 


THE    PRAIRIE. 


305 


of  his  desperate  intention,  but  the  dusky  figures,  who 
were  riding  on  every  side  of  him  seemed  suddenly 
tripled  in  number,  and  the  darkness,  that  was  already 
thickening  on  the  prairie,  appeared  m  his  eyes  to 
possess  the  glare  of  high  noon. 

"  It  would  be  premature,  and  reason  forbids  it,' 
he  answered.  "  Leave  me,  venerable  venator,  to 
the  council  of  my  own  thoughts,  and  when  my  plans 
are  properly  classed,  I  will  advise  you  of  my  resolu 
tions." 

"  Resolutions  !"  repeated  the  old  man,  shaking  his 
head  a  little  contemptuously  as  he  gave  the  rein  to 
his  horse,  and  allowed  him  to  mingle  with  the  steeds 
of  the  savages.  "  Resolution  is  a  word  that  is  talk 
ed  of  in  the  settlements  and  felt  on  the  borders. 
Does  my  brother  know  the  beast  on  which  the  Pale 
face  rides  ?"  he  continued,  addressing  a  gloomy  look 
ing  warrior  in  his  own  tongue,  and  making  a  motion 
with  his  arm  that  at  the  same  time  directed  his  at 
tention  to  the  naturalist  and  the  meek  Asinus, 

The  Teton  turned  his  eyes  for  a  minute  on  the 
animal,  but  disdained  to  manifest  the  smallest  por 
tion  of  that  wonder  he  had  felt,  in  common  with  all 
his  companions,  on  first  viewing  so  rare  a  quadruped. 
The  trapper  was  not  ignorant,  that  while  asses  and 
mules  were  beginning  to  be  known  to  those  tribes 
who  dwelt  nearest  the  Mexicos,  they  were  not  usual 
ly  encountered  so  far  north  as  the  waters  of  La 
Platte.  He  therefore  managed  to  read  the  mute  as 
tonishment  that  lay  so  deeply  concealed  in  the  tawny 
visage  of  the  savage,  and  took  his  measures  accord 
ingly. 

"  Does  my  brother  think  that  the  rider  is  a  war 
rior  of  the  Pale-faces  ?"  he  demanded,  when  he  be 
lieved  that  sufficient  time  had  elapsed  for  a  full  ex 
amination  of  the  pacific  mien  of  the  naturalist. 

The  flash  of  scorn,  which  shot  across  the  features 
2C2 


306  THE    PRAIRIE. 

of  the  Teton  was  visible  even  by  the  dim  light  of 
the  stars. 

•'  Is  a  Dahcotah  a  fool !"  was  the  answer. 

"  They  are  a  wise  nation,  whose  eyes  are  never 
shut ;  much  do  I  wonder,  that  they  have  not  seen  the 
great  medicine  of  the  Big-knives  !" 

"  Wagh  !"  exclaimed  his  companion,  suffering  the 
whole  of  his  amazement  to  burst  out  of  his  dark 
rigid  countenance  at  the  surprise,  like  a  flash  of  light 
ning  illuminating  the  gloom  of  midnight. 

"  The  Dahcotah  knows  that  my  tongue  is  not 
forked.  Let  him  open  his  eyes  wider.  Does  he  not 
see  a  very  great  medicine  ?" 

The  light  was  not  necessary  to  recall  to  the  sav 
age  each  feature  in  the  really  remarkable  costume 
and  equipage  of  Dr.  Battius.  In  common  with  the 
rest  of  the  band,  and  in  conformity  with  the  uni 
versal  practice  of  the  Indians,  this  warrior,  while  he 
had  suffered  no  gaze  of  idle  curiosity  to  disgrace  his 
manhood,  had  not  permitted  a  single  distinctive 
mark,  which  might  characterize  any  one  of  the  stran 
gers  to  escape  his  vigilance.  He  knew  the  air,  the 
stature,  the  dress  and  the  features,  even  to  the  col 
our  of  the  eyes  and  of  the  hair,  of  every  one  of  the 
Big-knives,  whom  he  had  thus  strangely  encountered, 
and  deeply  had  he  ruminated  on  the  causes,  which 
could  have  led  a  party,  so  singularly  constituted,  into 
the  haunts  of  the  rude  inhabitants  of  his  native 
wastes.  He  had  already  considered  the  several  phy 
sical  powers  of  the  whole  party,  and  had  duly  com 
pared  their  abilities  with  what  he  supposed  might 
have  been  their  intentions.  Warriors  they  were  not, 
for  the  Big-knives,  like  the  Siouxes,  left  their  women 
in  their  villages  when  they  went  out  on  the  bloody 
path.  The  same  objections  applied  to  them  as  hunt 
ers,  and  even  as  traders,  the  two  characters  under 
which  the  white  men  commonly  appeared  in  their 


THE    PRAIRIE.  307 

villages.  He  had  heard  of  a  great  council,  at  which 
the  Menahashah,  or  Long-knives,  and  the  Washsheo- 
mantiqua,  or  Spaniards,  had  smoked  together,  when 
the  latter  had  sold  to  the  former  their  incomprehen 
sible  rights  over  those  vast  regions  through  which  his 
nation  had  roamed,  in  freedom,  for  so  many  ages 
His  simple  mind  had  not  been  able  to  embrace  tho 
reasons  why  one  people  should  thus  assume  a  supe 
riority  over  the  possessions  of  another,  and  it  will 
readily  be  perceived,  that  at  the  hint  just  received 
from  the  trapper,  he  was  not  indisposed  to  fancy  that 
some  of  the  hidden  subtilty  of  that  magical  influ 
ence,  of  which  he  was  so  firm  a  believer,  was  about 
to  be  practised  by  the  unsuspecting  subject  of  their 
conversation,  in  furtherance  of  these  mysterious 
claims.  Abandoning,  therefore,  all  the  reserve  and 
dignity  of  his  manner  under  the  conscious  helpless 
ness  of  ignorance,  he  turned  to  the  old  man,  and 
stretching  forth  his  arms,  as  if  to  denote  how  much 
he  lay  at  his  mercy,  he  said — 

"  Let  my  father  look  at  me.  I  am  a  wild  man  of 
the  prairies  ;  my  body  is  naked  ;  my  hands  empty , 
my  skin  red.  I  have  struck  the  Pawnees,  the  Kon- 
zas,  the  Omahaws,  the  Osages,  and  even  the  Long- 
knives.  I  am  a  man  amid  warriors,  but  a  woman 
among  the  conjurors.  Let  my  father  speak :  the 
ears  of  the  Teton  are  open.  He  listens  like  a  deer 
to  the  step  of  the  cougar." 

"  Such  are  the  wise  and  unsearchable  ways  of  one 
who  alone  knows  good  from  evil !"  exclaimed  the 
trapper,  in  English.  "  To  some  he  grants  cunning, 
and  on  others  he  bestows  the  gift  of  manhood !  It  is 
humbling,  and  it  is  afflicting  to  see  so  noble  a  crea- 
tur1  as  this,  who  has  fou't  in  many  a  bloody  fray, 
truckling  before  his  superstition  like  a  beggar  asking 
for  the  bones  you  would  throw  to  the  dogs.  The  Lord 
will  forgive  me  for  playing  with  the  ignorance  of 'the 


308  THE    PRAIRIE. 

savage,  for  he  knows  I  do  it  in  no  mockery  of  his 
state,  or  in  idle  vaunting  of  my  own  ;  but  in  order 
to  save  mortal  life,  and  to  give  justice  to  the  wrong 
ed,  while  I  defeat  the  deviltries  of  the  wicked  !  Te- 
ton,"  speaking  again  in  the  language  of  the  listener 
4 1  ask  you,  is  not  that  a  wonderful  medicine  ?  If 
the  Dahcotahs  are  wise  they  will  not  breathe  the  air 
he  breathes,  nor  touch  his  robes.  They  know,  that 
the  Wahconshecheh  (bad  spirit)  loves  his  own  chil 
dren,  and  will  not  turn  his  back  on  him  that  does 
them  harm." 

The  old  man  delivered  this  opinion  in  an  ominous 
and  sententious  manner,  and  then  rode  apart  as  if  he 
had  said  enough.  The  result  justified  his  expecta 
tions.  The  warrior,  to  whom  he  had  addressed  him 
self,  was  not  slow  to  communicate  his  important 
knowledge  to  the  rest  of  the  rear-guard,  and,  in  a 
very  few  moments  the  naturalist  was  the  object  of 
general  observation  and  reverence.  The  trapper, 
who  understood  that  the  natives  often  worshipped, 
with  a  view  to  propitiate  the  evil  spirit,  awaited  the 
workings  of  his  artifice,  with  the  coolness  of  one 
who  had  not  the  smallest  interest  in  its  effects.  It 
was  not  long  before  he  saw  one  dark  figure  after 
another,  lashing  his  horse  and  gallopping  ahead  into 
the  centre  of  the  band,  until  Weucha  alone  remain 
ed  nigh  the  persons  of  himself  and  Obed.  The  very 
dulness  of  this  grovelling-minded  savage,  who  con 
tinued  gazing  at  the  supposed  conjuror  with  a  sort 
of  stupid  admiration,  opposed  now  the  only  obstacle 
o  the  complete  success  of  his  artifice. 

Thoroughly  understanding  the  character  of  this 
Indian,  the  old  man  lost  no  time  in  getting  rid  of 
him  also.  Riding  to  his  side  he  said,  m  an  affected 
whisper — 

"  Has  Weucha  drunk  of  the  milk  of  the  Big-knives 
to-day?" 


THE    PRAIRIE. 


309 


«*  Hugh !"  exclaimed  the  surprised  savage,  every 
dull  thought  being  instantly  recalled  from  heaven  to 
earth  by  the  question — 

"  Because  the  great  captain  of  my  people,  who 
rides  in  front,  has  a  cow  that  is  never  empty.  I 
know  it  will  not  be  long  before  he  will  say,  are  any 
of  my  red  brethren  dry  ?" 

The  words  were  scarcely  uttered,  before  Weucha, 
in  his  turn,  quickened  the  gait  of  his  beast,  and  was 
soon  blended  with  the  rest  of  the  dark  groupe,  who 
were  riding,  at  a  more  moderate  pace,  a  few  rods  in 
advance.  The  trapper,  who  knew  how  fickle  and 
sudden  were  the  changes  of  a  savage  mind,  did  not 
lose  a  moment  in  profiting  by  this  advantage.  He 
loosened  the  reins  of  his  own  impatient  steed,  and  in 
an  instant  he  was  again  at  the  side  of  Obed. 

"  Do  you  see  the  twinkling  star,  that  is,  may  be, 
the  length  of  four  rifles  above  the  prairie ;  hereaway, 
to  the  North  I  mean." 

"  Ay,  it  is  of  the  constellation — " 

"  A  tut  for  your  constellations,  man ;  do  you  see 
the  star  I  mean?  Tell  me  in  the  English  of  the 


"  The  moment  my  back  is  turned,  pull  upon  the 
rein  of  your  ass,  until  you  lose  sight  of  the  savages. 
Then  take  the  Lord  for  your  dependance,  and  yon 
der  star  for  your  guide.  Turn  neither  to  the  right 
hand  nor  to  the  left,  but  make  diligent  use  of  your 
time,  for  your  beast  is  not  quick  of  foot,  and  every 
inch  of  prairie  you  gain,  is  a  day  added  to  your  lib 
erty  or  to  your  life." 

"  Without  waiting  to  listen  to  the  queries,  which 
the  naturalist  was  about  to  put,  the  old  man  again 
oosened  the  reins  of  his  horse,  and  presently  he  too 
was  blended  with  the  groupe  in  front. 

Obed  was  now  alone.  Asinus  willingly  obeyed  the 
hint  which  his  master  soon  gave,  rather  in  desperation 


310  THE    PRAIRIE. 

than  with  any  very  collected  understanding  of  the 
orders  he  had  received,  and  checked  his  pace  accord 
ingly.  As  the  Tetons  however  rode  at  a  hand-gallop, 
but  a  moment  of  time  was  necessary,  after  the  ass  be 
gan  to  walk,  to  remove  them  effectually  from  before 
the  vision  of  his  rider.  Without  plan,  expectation, 
or  hope  of  any  sort,  except  that  of  escaping  from  his 
dangerous  neighbours,  the  Doctor  first  feeling,  to  as 
sure  himself  that  the  package,  which  contained  the 
miserable  remnants  of  his  specimens  and  notes  was 
safe  at  his  crupper,  turned  the  head  of  the  beast  in 
the  required  direction,  and  kicking  him  with  a  spe 
cies  of  fury,  he  soon  succeeded  in  exciting  the  speed 
of  the  patient  animal  into  a  smart  run.  He  had  bare 
ly  time  to  descend  into  a  hollow  and  ascend  the  ad 
joining  swell  of  the  prairie,  before  he  heard,  or  fan 
cied  he  heard,  his  name  shouted  in  good  English  from 
the  throats  of  twenty  Tetons.  The  delusion  gave  a 
new  impulse  to  his  ardour,  and  no  professor  of  the 
saltant  art  ever  applied  himself  with  greater  industry 
than  the  naturalist  now  used  his  heels  on  the  ribs  of 
Asinus.  The  conflict  endured  for  several  minutes 
without  interruption,  and  to  all  appearances  it  might 
have  continued  to  the  present  moment,  had  not  the 
meek  temper  of  the  beast  also  become  unduly  excit 
ed.  Borrowing  an  idea  from  the  manner  in  which 
his  master  exhibited  his  agitation,  Asinus  so  far  chang 
ed  the  application  of  his  own  heels,  as  to  raise  them 
simultaneously  with  a  certain  indignant  flourish  into 
the  air,  a  measure  that  instantly  decided  the  contro 
versy  in  his  favour.  Obed  took  leave  of  his  seat,  as 
of  a  position  no  longer  tenable,  continuing  however 
the  direction  of  his  flight,  while  the  ass  like  a  con 
queror  took  possession  of  the  field  of  battle,  begin 
ning  to  crop  the  dry  herbage,  as  the  fruits  of  his 
victory. 

When  Doctor  Battius  had  recovered  his  feet  and 
rallied  his  faculties,  which  were  in  a  good  deal  of  dis- 


THE   PRAIRIE.  311 

order  from  the  hurried  manner  in  which  he  had  aban 
doned  his  former  situation,  he  returned  in  quest  of 
his  specimens  and  of  his  ass.  Asinus  displayed 
enough  of  magnanimity  to  render  the  interview  ami 
cable,  and  thenceforth  the  naturalist  continued  the 
required  route  with  very  commendable  industry,  but 
with  a  much  more  tempered  discretion. 

In  the  mean  time,  the  old  trapper  had  not  lost 
sight  of  the  important  movements  that  he  had  under 
taken  to  control.  Obed  had  not  been  mistaken  in 
supposing  that  he  was  already  missed  and  sought, 
though  his  imagination  had  corrupted  certain  savage 
cries  into  the  well-known  sounds  that  composed  his 
own  latinized  name.  The  truth  was  simply  this. 
The  warriors  of  the  rear-guard  had  not  failed  to  ap 
prise  those  in  front  of  the  mysterious  character,  with 
which  it  had  pleased  the  trapper  to  invest  the  unsus 
pecting  naturalist.  The  same  untutored  admiration, 
which  on  the  receipt  of  this  intelligence  had  driven 
those  in  the  rear  to  the  front,  now  drove  many  of  the 
front  to  the  rear.  The  Doctor  was  of  course  absent, 
and  the  outcry  was  no  more  than  the  wild  yells, 
which  were  raised  in  the  first  burst  of  savage  disap 
pointment. 

But  the  authority  of  Mahtoree  was  prompt  to  aid 
the  ingenuity  of  the  trapper  in  suppressing  these  dan 
gerous  sounds.  When  order  was  restored,  and  the 
former  was  made  acquainted  with  the  reason  why  his 
young  men  had  betrayed  so  strong  a  mark  of  indis 
cretion,  the  old  man,  who  had  taken  a  post  at  his 
elbow,  saw,  with  alarm,  the  gleam  of  keen  distrust 
that  flashed  into  his  swarthy  visage. 

"  Where  is  your  conjuror  ?"  demanded  the  chief 
turning  suddenly  to  the  trapper,  as  if  he  meant  to 
make  him  responsible  for  the  re-appearance  of  Obed. 

"  Can  I  tell  my  brother  the  number  of  the  stars  ? 
the  ways  of  a  great  medicine  are  not  like  the  ways 
of  other  men.1" 


312  THE    PRAIRIE. 

"  Listen  to  me,  gray-head,  and  count  my  words, 
continued  the  other,  bending  on  his  rude  saddle-bow 
like  some  chevalier  of  a  more  civilized  race,  and 
speaking  in  the  haughty  tones  of  absolute  power; 
"  the  Dahcotahs  have  not  chosen  a  woman  for  their 
chief;  when  Mahtoree  feels  the  power  of  a  great 
medicine,  he  will  tremble,  until  then  he  will  look  with 
his  own  eyes  without  borrowing  sight  from  a  Pale 
face.  If  your  conjuror  is  not  with  his  friends  in  the 
morning,  my  young  men  shall  look  for  him.  Youi 
ears  are  open.  Enough." 

The  trapper  was  not  sorry  to  find  that  so  long  a 
respite  was  granted.  He  had  before  found  reason  to 
believe,  that  the  Teton  partisan  was  one  of  those 
bold  spirits,  who  overstep  the  limits  which  use  and 
education  fix  to  the  opinions  of  man  in  every  state  of 
society,  and  he  now  saw  plainly  that  he  must  adopt 
some  artifice  to  deceive  him,  different  from  that  which 
had  succeeded  so  well  with  his  followers.  The  sud 
den  appearance  of  the  rock,  however,  which  hove 
up  a  bleak  and  ragged  mass  out  of  the  darkness  ahead, 
put  an  end  for  the  present  to  the  discourse,  Mahtoree 
giving  all  his  thoughts  to  the  execution  of  his  design? 
on  the  rest  of  the  squatter's  moveables.  A  murmui 
ran  through  the  band,  as  each  dark  warrior  caught  a 
glimpse  of  the  desired  haven,  after  which  the  nicest 
ear  might  have  listened  in  vain  to  catch  a  sound  loud 
er  than  the  rustling  of  feet  among  the  tall  grass  of 
the  prairie. 

But  the  vigilance  of  Esther  was  not  easily  deceiv 
ed.  She  had  long  listened  anxiously  to  the  suspicious 
sounds,  which  approached  the  rock  across  the  naked 
waste,  nor  had  the  sudden  outcry  been  unheard  by 
the  unwearied  sentinels  of  the  rock.  The  savages, 
who  had  dismounted  at  some  little  distance,  had  not 
time  to  draw  around  the  base  of  the  hill,  in  their  cus 
tomary  silent  and  insidious  manner,  before  the  voice 


THE    PRAIRIE.  313 

of  the  Amazon  was  raised  in  the  stillness  of  the  place, 
fearlessly  demanding — 

"  Who  is  beneath  ?  answer,  for  your  lives  ?  Siouxes 
or  devils,  I  fear  ye  not !" 

No  answer  was  given  to  this  challenge,  every  war 
rior  halting  where  he  stood,  confident  that  his  dusky 
form  was  blended  with  the  shadows  of  the  plain.  It 
was  at  this  moment  that  the  trapper  determined  to 
escape.  He  had  been  left  with  the  rest  of  his  friends, 
under  the  surveillance  of  those  who  were  assigned 
to  the  duty  of  watching  the  horses,  and  as  they  all 
continued  mounted,  the  moment  appeared  favourable 
to  his  project.  The  attention  of  the  guards  was 
drawn  to  the  rock,  and  a  heavy  cloud  driving  above 
them  at  that  instant,  obscured  even  the  feeble  light 
which  fell  from  the  stars.  Leaning  on  the  neck  of 
his  horse,  the  old  man  muttered — 

"  Where  is  my  pup  ?  Where  is  it — Hector — where 
is  it  dog?" 

The  hound  caught  the  well-known  sounds,  and 
answered  by  a  whine  of  friendship,  which  threatened 
to  break  out  into  one  of  his  piercing  howls.  The 
trapper  was  in  the  act  of  raising  himself  from  this 
successful  exploit,  when  he  felt  the  hand  of  Weucha 
grasping  his  throat,  as  if  determined  to  suppress  his 
voice  by  the  very  unequivocal  process  of  strangula 
tion.  Profiting,  by  the  circumstance,  he  raised  ano 
ther  low  sound,  as  in  the  natural  effort  of  breathing, 
which  drew  a  second  responsive  cry  from  the  faith 
ful  hound.  Weucha  instantly  abandoned  his  hold  of 
the  master  in  order  to  wreak  his  vengeance  on  the 
dog.  But  the  voice  of  Esther  was  again  heard,  and 
every  other  design  was  abandoned  in  order  to  listen. 

"Ay,  whine  and  deform  your  throats  as  you  may, 
ye  imps  of  darkness,"  she  said,  with  a  cracked  but 
scornful  laugh  ;  "  I  know  ye  ;  tarry,  and  ye  shall  have 
light  for  your  misdeeds.  Put  in  the  coal,  Phoebe ; 
put  in  the  coal ;  your  father  and  the  boys  shall  see 
2D 


314  THE    PRAIRIE. 

that  they  are  wanted  at  home  to  welcome  their 
guests." 

Even  as  she  spoke,  a  strong  light,  like  that  of  a 
brilliant  star  was  seen  on  the  very  pinnacle  of  the 
rock ;  and  then  followed  a  forked  flame,  which  curl 
ed  for  a  moment  amid  the  windings  of  an  enormous 
pile  of  brush,  and  flashing  upward  in  an  united  sheet, 
it  wavered  to  and  fro,  in  the  passing  air,  shedding  a 
bright  glare  on  every  object  within  its  influence.  A 
taunting  laugh  was  heard  from  the  height,  in  which 
the  voices  of  all  ages  mingled,  as  though  they  tri 
umphed  at  having  so  successfully  exposed  the  treach 
erous  intentions  of  the  Tetons. 

The  trapper  looked  about  him  to  ascertain  in  what 
situations  he  might  find  his  friends.  True  to  the  sig 
nals,  Middleton  and  Paul  had  drawn  a  little  apart 
and  now  stood  ready,  by  every  appearance,  to  com 
mence  their  flight  at  the  third  repetition  of  the  cry. 
Hector  had  escaped  his  savage  pursuer  and  was  again 
crouching  at  the  heels  of  his  master's  horse.  But 
the  broad  circle  of  light  was  gradually  increasing  in 
extent  and  power,  and  the  old  man,  whose  eye  and 
judgment  so  rarely  failed  him,  patiently  awaited  a 
more  propitious  moment  for  his  enterprise. 

"  Now  Ishmael,  my  man,  if  sight  and  hand  ar'  true 
as  ever,  now  is  the  time  to  work  upon  these  Red 
skins,  who  claim  to  own  all  your  property,  even  to 
wife  and  children !  Now,  my  good  man,  prove  both 
breed  and  character!" 

A  distant  shout  was  heard  in  the  direction  of  the 
approaching  party  of  the  squatter,  assuring  the  female 
garrison  that  succour  was  not  far  distant.  Esther 
answered  to  the  grateful  sounds  by  a  cracked  cry  of 
her  own.  lifting  her  form,  in  the  first  burst  of  exulta 
tion,  above  the  rock  in  a  manner  to  be  visible  to  all 
below.  Not  content  with  this  dangerous  exposure  of 
her  person,  she  was  in  the  act  of  tossing  her  arms  in 
triumph,  when  the  dark  figure  of  Mahtoree  shot  into 


THE    PRAIRIE.  315 

the  light  and  pinioned  them  to  her  side.  The  forms 
of  three  other  warriors  glided  across  the  top  of  the 
rock,  looking  like  naked  demons  flitting  among  the 
clouds.  The  air  was  filled  with  the  brands  of  the 
beacon,  and  then  a  heavy  darkness  succeeded,  not 
unlike  that  of  the  appalling  instant,  when  the  last  rays 
of  the  sun  are  excluded  by  the  intervening  mass  of 
the  moon.  A  yell  of  triumph  burst  from  the  savages 
in  their  turn,  and  was  rather  accompanied  than  fol 
lowed  by  a  long,  loud  whine  from  Hector. 

In  an  instant  the  old  man  was  between  the  horses 
of  Middleton  and  Paul,  extending  a  hand  to  the  bri 
dle  of  each,  in  order  to  check  the  impatience  of 
their  riders. 

"  Softly,  softly,"  he  whispered,  "  their  eyes  are  as 
marvellously  shut  for  the  minute,  as  though  the  Lord 
had  stricken  them  blind;  but  their  ears  are  open. 
Softly,  softly;  for  fifty  rods,  at  least,  we  must  move 
no  faster  than  a  walk." 

The  five  minutes  of  doubt  that  succeeded  appeared 
like  an  age  to  all  but  the  trapper.  As  their  sight  was 
gradually  restored,  it  seemed  to  each  as  if  the  mo 
mentary  gloom,  which  followed  the  extinction  of  the 
beacon,  was  to  be  replaced  by  as  broad  a  light  as  that 
of  noon-day.  Gradually  the  old  man,  however,  suf 
fered  the  animals  to  quicken  their  steps,  until  they 
had  gained  the  centre  of  one  of  the  prairie  bottoms. 
Then  laughing  in  nis  quiet  manner  he  released  the 
reins  and  said — 

"  Now,  let  them  give  play  to  their  legs ;  but  keep 
on  the  old  fog  to  deaden  the  sounds." 

It  is  needless  to  say  how  cheerfully  he  was  obeyed. 
In  a  few  more  minutes  they  ascended  and  crossed  a 
swell  of  the  land,  after  which  the  flight  was  continued 
at  the  top  of  their  horses'  speed,  keeping  the  indica 
ted  star  in  view,  as  the  labouring  bark  steers  for  the 
light  which  points  the  way  to  a  haven  and  security. 


THE    PRAIRIE. 


CHAPTER  XXII. 

"  The  clouds  and  sunbeams  o'er  his  eye, 
That  once  their  shades  and  glories  threw, 
Hare  left,  in  yonder  silent  sky, 
No  vestige  where  they  flew." 

Montgomery. 

A  STILLNESS,  as  deep  as  that  which  marked  the 
gloomy  wastes  in  their  front,  was  observed  by  the 
fugitives  to  distinguish  the  spot  they  had  just  abandon 
ed.  Even  the  trapper  lent  his  practised  faculties,  in 
vain,  to  detect  any  of  the  well-known  signs,  which 
might  establish  the  important  fact  that  hostilities  had 
actually  commenced  between  the  parties  of  Mahtoree 
and  Ishmael;  but  their  horses  carried  them  out  of 
the  reach  of  sounds  without  the  occurrence  of  the 
smallest  evidence  of  the  sort.  The  old  man,  from 
time  to  time,  muttered  his  discontent,  but  manifest 
ed  the  uneasiness  he  actually  entertained  in  no  other 
manner,  unless  it  might  be  in  exhibiting  a  growing 
anxiety  to  urge  the  animals  to  increase  their  speed. 
He  had  pointed  out  in  passing,  that  deserted  swale 
where  the  family  of  the  squatter  had  encamped,  the 
night  they  were  introduced  to  the  reader,  and  after 
wards  he  maintained  an  ominous  silence;  ominous, 
because  his  companions  had  already  seen  enough  of 
his  character,  to  be  convinced  that  the  circumstances 
must  be  critical  indeed,  which  possessed  the  power 
to  disturb  the  well  regulated  tranquillity  of  the  old 
man's  mind. 

"  Have  we  not  done  enough,"  Middleton  de 
manded,  in  tenderness  to  the  inability  of  Inez  and 
Ellen  to  endure  so  much  fatigue,  at  the  end  of  some 
hours ;  "  we  have  ridden  hard,  and  have  crossed  a 
wide  tract  of  plain.  It  is  time  to  seek  a  place  of 
rest " 


THE    PRAIRIE.  317 

"  You  must  seek  it  then  in  Heaven,  if  you  find 
yourselves  unequal  to  a  longer  march,"  murmured 
the  old  trapper.  "  Had  the  Tetons  and  the  squatter 
come  to  blows,  as  any  one  might  see  in  the  natur'  of 
things  they  were  bound  to  do,  there  would  be  time 
to  look  about  us,  and  to  calculate  not  only  the 
chances  but  the  comforts  of  the  journey ;  but  as  the 
case  actually  is,  I  should  consider  it  certain  death,  or 
endless  captivity,  to  trust  our  eyes  with  sleep,  until 
our  heads  are  fairly  hid  in  some  uncommon  cover." 

"  I  know  not,"  returned  the  impatient  youth,  who 
reflected  more  on  the  sufferings  of  the  fragile  being 
he  supported,  than  on  the  experience  of  his  com 
panion.  "  I  know  not;  we  have  ridden  leagues,  and 
1  can  see  no  extraordinary  signs  of  danger — if  you 
fear  for  yourself  my  good  friend,  believe  me  you  are 
wrong,  for — " 

"  Your  gran'ther,  were  he  living  and  here,"  inter 
rupted  the  old  man,  stretching  forth  a  hand,  and  lay 
ing  a  finger  impressively  on  the  arm  of  Middleton, 
"  would  have  spared  those  words.  He  had  some 
reason  to  think  that,  in  the  prime  of  my  days,  when 
my  eye  was  quicker  than  the  hawk's,  and  my  limbs 
were  as  active  as  the  legs  of  the  fallow-deer,  I  never 
clung  too  eagerly  and  fondly  to  life :  then  why  should 
I  now  feel  such,  a  childish  affection  for  a  thing  that  I 
know  to  be  vain,  and  the  companion  of  pain  and  sor 
row.  Let  the  Tetons  do  their  worst ;  they  will  not 
find  a  miserable  and  worn  out  trapper  the  loudest  in 
bis  complaints  or  his  prayers." 

"  Pardon  me,  my  worthy,  my  inestimable  friend,' 
exclaimed  the  repentant  young  man,  warmly  graspino 
the  hand,  which  the  other  was  in  the  act  of  with 
drawing;  "  I  knew  not  what  I  said — or  rather  1 
thought  only  of  those  whose  tenderness  we  are  most 
bound  to  consider." 

"  Enough.     It  is  natur1,  and  it  is  right.     Therein 
your  grand'ther  would   have  done   the   very  same 
2D  2 


318  THE    PRAIRIE. 

Ah's  me !  what  a  number  of  seasons,  hot  and  cold, 
wet  and  dry,  have  rolled  over  my  poor  head,  since 
the  time  we  worried  it  out  together,  among  the  Red 
Hurons  of  the  Lakes,  back  in  those  rugged  mountains 
of  old  York !  and  many  a  noble  buck  has  since  that 
day  fallen  by  my  hand;  ay,  and  many  a  thieving 
Mingo,  too !  Tell  me,  lad,  did  the  general,  for  gene 
ral  I  know  he  got  to  be,  did  he  ever  tell  you  of  the 
deer  we  took,  that  night  the  outlyers  of  the  accursed 
tribe  drove  us  to  the  caves,  on  the  island,  and  how 
we  feasted  and  drunk  in  security?" 

"  I  have  often  heard  him  mention  the  smallest  cir 
cumstance  of  the  night  you  mean ;  but — " 

"  And  the  singer ;  and  his  open  throat ;  and  his 
shoutings  in  the  fights !"  continued  the  old  man,  laugh 
ing  most  joyously  at  the  strength  of  his  own  recollec 
tions. 

"  All — all — he  forgot  nothing,  even  to  the  most 
trifling  incident.  Do  you  not — " 

"  What,  did  he  tell  you  of  the  imp  behind  the  log- 
arid  of  the  miserable  devil  who  went  over  the  fall — or 
of  the  wretch  in  the  tree?" 

"  Of  each  and  all,  with  every  thing  that  concerned 
them.  I  should  think—" 

"  Ay,"  continued  the  old  man,  in  a  voice,  which 
betrayed  how  powerfully  his  own  faculties  retained 
the  impression  of  the  spectacle,  "  I  have  been  a 
dweller  in  forests  and  in  the  wilderness  for  threescore 
and  ten  years,  and  if  any  can  pretend  to  know  the 
world,  or  to  have  seen  scary  sights,  it  is  myself!  But 
never,  before  nor  since,  have  I  seen  human  man  in 
such  a  state  of  mortal  despair  as  that  very  savage ; 
and  yet  he  scorned  to  speak,  or  to  cry  out,  or  to  own 
his  forlorn  condition  !  It  is  their  gift,  and  nobly  did  he 
maintain  it!" 

"  Harkee,  old  trapper,"  interrupted  Paul,  who, 
content  with  the  knowledge  that  his  waist  was  grasp 
ed  by  one  of  the  pretty  arms  of  Ellen,  had  hitherto 


THE    1RAIRIE.  319 

riddtn  in  unusual  silence ;  "  my  eyes  are  as  true  and 
as  delicate  as  a  humming-bird's  in  the  day;  but  they 
are  nothing  worth  boasting  of  by  star-light.  Is  that 
a  sick  buffaloe,  crawling  along  in  the  bottom,  there, 
or  is  it  one  of  the  stray  cattle  of  the  savages?1* 

The  whole  party  drew  up,  in  order  to  examine  the 
object,  which  Paul  had  pointed  out.  During  most 
of  the  time,  they  had  ridden  in  the  little  vales  in 
order  to  seek  the  protection  of  the  shadows,  but  just 
at  that  moment,  they  had  ascended  a  roll  of  the  prai 
rie  in  order  to  cross  into  the  very  bottom  where  this 
unknown  animal  was  now  seen. 

"  Let  us  descend,"  said  Middleton;  "  be  it  a  beast 
or  a  man  we  are  too  strong  to  have  any  cause  of 
fear." 

"  Now  if  the  thing  was  not  morally  impossible," 
cried  the  trapper,  who  the  reader  must  have  already 
discovered  was  not  always  exact  in  the  use  of  quali 
fying  words,  "  if  the  thing  was  not  morally  impossible, 
I  should  say,  that  was  the  man,  who  journeys  in 
search  of  reptiles  and  insects:  our  fellow  traveller, 
the  Doctor." 

"  Why  impossible?  did  you  not  direct  him  to  pur 
sue  this  course,  in  order  to  rejoin  us?" 

"  Ay,  but  I  did  not  tell  him  to  make  an  ass  outdo 
the  speed  of  a  horse — you  are  right — you  are  right," 
said  the  trapper,  interrupting  himself,  as  by  gradually 
lessening  the  distance  between  them,  his  eyes  assured 
him  it  was  Obed  and  Asinus,  whom  he  saw;  "you 
are  right,  as  certainly  as  the  thing  is  a  miracle 
Lord,  what  a  thing  is  fear !  How  now,  friend,  yoi 
have  been  industrious  to  have  got  so  far  ahead  in  st 
short  a  time.  I  marvel  at  the  speed  of  the  ass !" 

"  Asinus  is  overcome,"  returned  the  naturalist 
mournfully.  "  The  animal  has  certainly  not  been 
idle  since  we  separated,  but  he  declines  all  my  ad 
monitions  and  invitations  to  proceed.  I  hope  there 
is  no  instant  fear  from  the  savages'?" 


320  THE    PRAIRIK. 

"  I  cannot  say  that;  I  cannot  say  that ;  matters  are 
not  as  they  should  be  atween  the  squatter  and  the 
Tetons,  nor  will  I  answer  as  yet  for  the  safety  of 
any  scalp  among  us.  The  beast  is  broken  down! 
you  have  urged  him  beyond  his  natural  gifts,  and  he 
is  like  a  worried  hound.  There  is  pity  and  discre 
tion  in  all  things,  even  though  a  man  be  riding  foj 
his  life." 

"  You  indicated  the  star,"  returned  the  Doctor, 
"  and  I  deemed  it  expedient  to  use  great  diligence  in 
pursuing  the  direction." 

"  Did  you  expect  to  reach  it  by  such  haste }  Go 
go;  you  talk  boldly  of  the  creatures  of  the  Lord 
though  I  plainly  see  you  are  but  a  child  in  matters 
that  concern  their  gifts  and  instincts.  What  a  plight 
would  you  now  be  in,  if  there  was  need  for  a  long 
and  a  quick  push  with  our  heels." 

"  The  fault  exists  in  the  formation  of  the  quadru 
ped,"  said  Obed,  whose  placid  temper  began  to  revolt 
under  so  many  scandalous  imputations.  "  Had  there 
been  rotary  levers  for  two  of  the  members,  a  moiety 
of  the  fatigue  would  have  been  saved,  for  one  item — " 

"  That,  for  your  moiety's  and  rotaries,  and  items, 
man;  a  jaded  aes  is  a  jaded  ass,  and  he  who  denies  it 
is  but  a  brother  of  the  beast  itself.  Now,  captain, 
are  we  driven  to  choose  one  of  two  evils.  We  must 
either  abandon  this  man,  who  has  been  too  much 
with  us  through  good  and  bad  to  be  easily  cast  away, 
or  we  must  seek  a  cover  to  let  the  animal  rest." 

"Venerable  venator!"  exclaimed  the  alarmed 
Obed ;  "  I  conjure  you  by  all  the  secret  sympathies 
of  our  common  nature,  by  all  the  hidden — ** 

"  Ah,  fear  has  brought  him  to  talk  a  little  rational 
sense !  It  is  not  natur',  truly,  to  abandon  a  brother  in 
distress ;  and  the  i^ord  he  knows  that  I  have  never 
yet  done  the  shameful  deed.  You  are  right,  friend, 
you  are  right;  we  must  all  be  hidden,  and  that 
speedily.  But  what  to  do  with  the  ass!  Friend 


THE    PRAIRIE.  321 

Doctor,  do  you  truly  value  the  life  of  the  crea- 
tuiV 

"  He  is  an  ancient  and  faithful  servant,"  returned 
the  disconsolate  Obed,  "  and  with  pain  should  I  see 
him  come  to  any  harm.  Fetter  his  lower  limbs,  and 
leave  him  to  repose  in  this  bed  of  herbage.  I  will 
engage  he  shall  be  found  where  he  is  left,  in  the 
morning." 

"  And  the  Siouxes  ?  What  would  become  of  the 
beast  should  any  of  the  red  imps  catch  a  peep  at  his 
ears,  growing  up  out  of  the  grass  like  two  mullein- 
tops  !"  cried  the  bee-hunter.  "  They  would  stick 
him  as  full  of  arrows,  as  a  woman's  cushion  is  full  of 
pins,  and  then  believe  they  had  done  the  job  for  the 
father  of  all  rabbits !  My  word  for  it  but  they  would 
find  out  their  blunder  at  the  first  mouthful !" 

Middleton,  who  began  to  grow  impatient  under  the 
protracted  discussion,  now  interposed,  and,  as  a  good 
deal  of  deference  was  paid  to  his  superior  rank,  he 
quickly  prevailed  in  his  efforts  to  effect  a  sort  of 
compromise.  The  humble  Asinus,  too  meek  and 
too  weary  to  make  any  resistance,  was  soon  tethered 
and  deposited  in  his  bed  of  dying  grass,  where  he 
was  left  with  a  perfect  confidence  on  the  part  of  his 
master  of  finding  him,  again,  at  the  expiration  of  a 
few  hours.  The  old  man  strongly  remonstrated 
against  this  arrangement,  and  more  than  once  hinted 
that  the  knife  was  much  more  certain  than  the  tether, 
but  the  petitions  of  Obed,  aided  perhaps  by  the  secret 
reluctance  of  the  trapper  to  destroy  the  beast,  were 
the  means  of  saving  its  life.  When  Asinus  was  thus 
secured,  and  as  his  master  believed  secreted,  the  whole 
party  proceeded  to  find  some  place  where  they  might 
rest  themselves  during  the  time  required  for  the  re 
pose  of  the  animal. 

According  to  the  calculations  of  the  trapper  they 
had  ridden  twenty  miles  since  the  commencement  of 
their  flight.  The  delicate  frame  of  Inez  began  to 


THE    PRAIRIE. 

droop  under  the  excessive  fatigue,  nor  was  the  more 
robust,  but  still  feminine  person  of  Ellen,  insensible 
to  the  extraordinary  effort  she  had  made.  Middleton 
himself  was  not  sorry  to  repose,  nor  did  the  vigorous 
and  high  spirited  Paul  hesitate  to  confess  that  he 
should  be  all  the  better  for  a  little  rest.  The  old 
man  alone  seemed  indifferent  to  the  usual  claims  of 
nature.  Although  but  little  accustomed  to  the  unusual 
description  of  exercise  he  had  just  been  taking,  he 
appeared  to  bid  defiance  to  all  the  usual  attacks  of 
human  infirmities.  Though  evidently  so  near  its 
dissolution,  his  attenuated  frame  still  stood  like  the 
shaft  of  seasoned  oak,  dry,  naked,  and  tempest-riven, 
but  unbending  and  apparently  indurated  to  the  con 
sistency  of  stone.  On  the  present  occasion  he  con 
ducted  the  search  for  a  resting-place,  which  was 
immediately  commenced,  with  all  the  energy  of 
youth,  tempered  by  the  discretion  and  experience  of 
his  great  age. 

The  bed  of  grass,  in  which  the  Doctor  had  been 
met,  and  in  which  his  ass  had  just  been  left,  was  fol 
lowed  a  little  distance  until  it  was  found  that  the 
rolling  swells  of  the  prairie  were  melting  away  into 
one  vast  level  plain,  that  was  covered,  for  miles  on 
miles,  with  the  same  species  of  herbage. 

"  Ah,  this  may  do,  this  may  do,"  said  the  old  man. 
when  they  arrived  on  the  borders  of  this  sea  of  with 
ered  grass ;  "  I  know  the  spot,  and  often  have  I  lain 
in  its  secret  holes,  for  days  at  a  time,  while  the  sav 
ages  have  been  hunting  the  buffaloes  on  the  open 
ground.  We  must  enter  it  with  great  care,  for  a 
broad  trail  might  be  seen,  and  Indian  curiosity  is  a 
dangerous  neighbour." 

Leading  the  way  himself,  he  selected  a  spot  where 
the  tall  coarse  herbage  stood  most  erect,  growing  not 
unlike  a  bed  of  reeds  both  in  height  and  density. 
Here  he  entered,  singly,  directing  the  others  to  follow 
as  nearly  as  possible  in  his  own  footsteps.  When 


THE  PRAIRIE.  3*23 

they  had  passed  for  some  hundred  or  two  feet  into 
the  wilderness  of  weeds,  he  gave  his  directions  to 
Paul  and  Middleton,  who  continued  a  direct  route 
deeper  into  the  place,  while  he  dismounted  and  re 
turned  on  his  tracks  to  the  margin  of  the  meadow. 
Here  he  passed  many  minutes  in  replacing  the  trod 
den  grass,  and  in  effacing,  as  far  as  possible,  every 
evidence  of  their  passage. 

In  the  mean  time  the  rest  of  the  party  continued 
their  progress,  not  without  toil,  and  consequently  at 
a  very  moderate  gait,  until  they  had  penetrated  a 
mile  into  the  place.  Here  they  found  a  spot  suited 
to  their  circumstances,  and,  dismounting,  they  began 
to  make  their  dispositions  to  pass  the  remainder  of 
the  night  By  this  time  the  trapper  had  rejoined  the 
party,  and  again  resumed  the  direction  of  their  pro 
ceedings. 

The  weeds  and  grass  were  soon  plucked  and  cut 
from  an  area  of  sufficient  extent,  and  a  bed  for  Inez 
and  Ellen  was  speedily  made,  a  little  apart,  which 
for  sweetness  and  ease  might  have  rivalled  one  of 
down.  The  exhausted  females,  after  receiving  some 
light  refreshments  from  the  provident  stores  of  Paul 
and  the  old  man,  now  sought  their  repose,  leaving 
their  more  stout  companions  at  liberty  to  provide  for 
their  own  necessities,  Middleton  and  Paul  were  not 
long  in  following  the  example  of  their  betrothed, 
leaving  the  trapper  and  the  naturalist  still  seated 
around  a  savoury  dish  of  bison's  meat,  which  had 
been  cooked  at  a  previous  halt,  and  which  was,  as 
usual,  eaten  cold. 

A  certain  lingering  sensation,  which  had  so  long 
been  uppermost  in  the  rnind  of  Obed,  temporarily 
banished  sleep  ;  and  as  for  the  old  man,  his  wants 
were  rendered,  by  habit  and  necessity,  as  seemingly 
subject  to  his  will  as  though  they  altogether  depended 
on  the  pleasure  of  the  moment.  Like  his  companion 
he  chose  therefore  to  watch,  instead  of  sleeping. 


THE    PRAIRIE. 

"  if  the  children  of  case  and  security  knew  thu 
hardships  and  dangers  the  students  of  nature  encoun 
ter  in  their  behalf,"  said  Obcd,  after  a  moment  of  si 
lence,  when  Middleton  took  his  leave  for  the  night, 
u  pillars  of  silver,  and  statues  of  brass  would  be  rear 
ed  us  the  everlasting  monuments  of  their  glory  !" 

"  I  know  not,  I  know  not,11  returned  his  compan 
ion  ;  "  silver  is  far  from  plenty,  at  least  in  the  wilder 
ness,  and  your  bra/en  idols  are  forbidden  in  the  com 
mandments  of  the  Lord." 

"  Such  indeed  was  the  opinion  of  the  great  law 
giver  of  the  Jews,  but  the  Egyptians  and  the  Chal 
deans,  the  CJ reeks  and  the  Romans,  were  wont  to 
manifest  their  gratitude  in  these  types  of  the  human 
form.  Indeed  many  of  the  illustrious  masters  of  an 
tiquity,  have  by  the  aid  of  science  and  skill,  even  out 
done  th<3  works  of  nature,  and  exhibited  a  beauty  and 
perfection  in  the  human  form  that  are  difficult  to  be 
found  in  the  rarest  living  specimens  of  any  of  the 
species  ;  genus,  homo." 

"  Can  your  idols  walk  or  speak,  or  have  they  the 
glorious  gift  of  reason  ?"  demanded  the  trapper  with 
some  indignation  in  his  voice ;  "  though  but  little 
given  to  run  into  the  noise  and  chatter  of  the  settle 
ments,  yet  have  I  been  into  the  towns  in  my  day,  to 
barter  the  peltry  for  lead  and  powder,  and  often  have 
I  seen  your  waxen  dolls,  with  their  tawdry  clothes 
and  glass  eyes." 

"  Waxen  dolls  !"  interrupted  Obed ;  "  it  is  profana 
tion,  in  the  view  of  the  arts,  to  liken  the  miserable 
handy-work  of  the  dealers  in  wax  to  the  pure  models 
of  antiquity  !" 

"  It  is  profanation  in  the  eyes  of  the  Lord,"  retort 
ed  the  old  man,  "to  liken  the  works  of  his  creatu^s 
to  the  power  of  his  own  hand." 

"Venerable  venator,"  resumed  the  naturalist, 
clearing  his  throat,  like  one  who  was  much  in  earnest, 
"  let  us  discuss  understandingly  and  in  amity.  You 


THE    PRAIRIE.  325 

speak  of  the  dross  of  ignorance,  whereas  my  memory 
dwells  on  those  precious  jewels,  which  it  was  my 
happy  fortune  formerly  to  witness  among  the  treas 
ured  Dories  of  the  Old  World." 

"  Old  World  !"  retorted  the  trapper,  "  that  is  the 
miserable  cry  of  all  the  half-starved  miscreants  that 
have  corne  into  this  blessed  land,  since  the  days  of 
my  boyhood  !  They  tell  you  of  the  Old  World  ;  as 
if  the  Lord  had  not  the  power  and  the  will  to  create 
the  universe  in  a  day,  or  as  if  he  had  not  bestowed 
his  gifts  with  an  equal  hand,  though  not  with  an  equal 
mind  or  equal  wisdom  have  they  been  received  and 
used.  Were  they  to  say  a  worn  out,  and  an  abused, 
and  a  sacrilegious  world,  they  might  not  be  so  far 
from  the  truth  !" 

Doctor  Battius,  who  found  it  quite  as  arduous  a 
task  to  maintain  any  of  his  favourite  positions  with 
so  irregular  an  antagonist,  as  he  would  have  found  it 
difficult  to  keep  his  feet  within  the  hug  of  a  western 
wrestler,  hemmed  aloud,  and  profited  by  the  new 
opening  the  trapper  had  made,  to  shift  the  grounds  of 
the  discussion — 

"  By  Old  and  New  World,  rny  excellent  associate," 
he  said,  "  it  is  not  to  be  understood  that  the  hills,  and 
the  vallies,  the  rocks  and  the  rivers  of  our  own  moie 
ty  of  the  earth  do  not,  physically  speaking,  bear  a 
date  as  ancient  as  the  spot  on  which  the  bricks  of 
Babylon  are  found  ;  it  merely  signifies  that  its  moral 
existence  is  not  co-equal  with  its  physical  or  geologi 
cal  formation." 

"  Anan  !"  said  the  old  man,  looking  up  inquiringly 
into  the  face  of  the  philosopher. 

"  Merely  that  it  has  not  been  so  long  known  in 
morals  as  the  other  countries  of  Christendom." 

"  So  much  the  better,  so  much  the  better.     I  am 

no  great  admirator  of  your  old  morals,  as  you  call 

them,  for  I  have  ever  found,  and  I  have  liv'a  long  as 

it  were  in  the  very  heart  of  natur\  that  your  old  mor- 

2E 


326  THE    PRAIRIE. 

als  are  none  of  the  best.     Mankind  twist  and  turn 
1  die  rules  of  the  Lord,  to  suit  their  own  wickedness, 

/'  when  their  devilish  cunning  has  had  too  much  time 

/  to  trifle  with  his  commands." 

/       *'  Nay,  venerable  hunter,  still  am  I  not  compre- 

/  bended.  By  morals  I  do  not  mean  the  limited  and 
literal  signification  of  the  term,  such  as  is  conveyed 
in  its  synonyme,  morality,  but  the  practices  of  men 
as  connected  with  their  daily  intercourse,  their  insti 
tutions,  and  their  laws." 

"  And  such  I  call  barefaced  and  downright  wanton- 

»   ness  and  waste,"  interrupted  his  sturdy  disputant. 

"  Well,  be  it  so,"  returned  the  Doctor,  abandoning 
the  explanation  in  despair.  "  Perhaps  I  have  conced 
ed  too  much,"  he  then  instantly  added,  fancying  that 
he  still  saw  the  glimmerings  of  an  argument  through 
another  chink  in  the  discourse.  "  Perhaps  I  have 
conceded  too  much  in  saying  that  this  hemisphere  is 
literally  as  old,  in  its  formation,  as  that  which  em 
braces  the  venerable  quarters  of  Europe,  Asia,  and 
Africa." 

"  It  is  easy  to  say  an  alder  is  not  so  tall  as  a  pine, 
but  it  would  be  hard  to  prove.  Can  you  give  a  rea« 
son  for  such  a  wicked  belief." 

"  The  reasons  are  numerous  and  powerful,"  re 
turned  the  Doctor,  delighted  by  this  encouraging 
opening.  "  Look  into  the  plains  of  Egypt  and  Ara 
bia  ;  their  sandy  deserts  teem  with  the  monuments  of 
their  antiquity  ;  and  then  we  have  also  recorded  doc 
uments  of  their  glory,  doubling  the  proofs  of  their 
former  greatness,  now  that  they  lie  stripped  of  their 
fertility ;  while  we  look  in  vain  for  similar  evidences 
that  man  has  ever  reached  the  summit  of  civilization 
on  this  continent,  or  search,  without  our  reward,  for 
the  path  by  which  he  has  made  the  downward  jour 
ney  to  his  present  condition  of  second  childhood." 

"And  what  see  you  in  all  this?"  demanded  the 
trapper,  who,  though  a  little  confused  by  the  termf 


THE    PRAIRIE.  327 

of  his  companion,  had  seized  the  thread  of  his  ideas. 

"  A  demonstration  of  my  problem,  that  nature  did 
not  make  such  a  vast  region  to  lie  an  uninhabited 
waste  so  many  ages.  This  is  merely  the  moral  view 
of  the  subject ;  as  to  the  more  exact  and  geologi 
cal—" 

"  Your  morals  are  exact  enough  for  me,"  returned 
the  grave  old  man,  "  for  I  think  I  see  in  them  the  very 
pride  of  folly.  I  am  but  little  gifted  in  the  fables  of 
what  you  call  the  Old  World,  seeing  that  my  time  has 
been  mainly  passed  looking  natur'  steadily  in  the 
face,  and  in  reasoning  on  what  I've  seen,  rather  than 
on  what  Pve  heard  in  traditions.  But  I  have  never 
shut  my  ears  to  the  words  of  the  good  book,  and 
many  is  the  long  winter  evening  that  I  have  passed 
in  the  wigwams  of  the  Delawares,  listening  to  the 
good  Moravians,  as  they  dealt  forth  the  history  and 
doctrines  of  the  elder  times,  to  the  people  of  the 
Lenape  !  It  was  pleasant  to  hearken  to  such  wisdom 
after  a  weary  hunt !  Right  pleasant  did  I  find  it,  and 
often  have  I  talked  the  matter  over  with  the  Great 
Serpent  of  the  Delawares  in  the  more  peaceful  hours 
of  our  out-lyings,  whether  it  might  be  on  the  trail  of 
a  war-party  of  the  Mingoes,  or  on  the  watch  for  a 
York  deer.  I  remember  to  have  heard  it,  then  and 
there,  said,  that  the  Blessed  Land  was  once  fertile  as 
the  bottoms  of  the  Mississippi,  and  groaning  with  its 
stores  of  grain  and  fruits  ;  but  that  the  judgment  has 
since  fallen  upon  it,  and  that  it  is  now  more  remark 
able  for  its  barrenness  than  any  qualities  to  boast  of." 

"  It  is  true  ;  but  Egypt — nay  much  of  Africa  fur 
nishes  still  more  striking  proofs  of  this  exhaustion  of 
nature." 

"  Tell  me,"  interrupted  the  old  man,  "  is  it  a  cer 
tain  truth  that  buildings  are  still  standing  in  that  land 
of  Pharoah,  which  may  be  likened  in  their  stature, 
to  the  hills  of  the  'arth?" 

"  It  is  as  true  as  that  nature  never  refuses  to  be- 


328  THE    PRAIRIE. 

stow  her  incisores  on  the  animals •,  mammalia ;  genus, 
homo ; — " 

"  It  is  very  marvellous  !  and  it  proves  how  great 
He  must  be,  when  his  miserable  creatur's  can  accom 
plish  such  wonders  !  Many  men  must  have  been 
needed  to  finish  such  an  edifice  ;  ay,  and  men  gifted 
with  strength  and  skill  too  !  Does  the  land  abound 
with  such  a  race  to  this  hour  ?" 

"  Far  from  it.  Most  of  the  country  is  a  desert,  and 
but  for  a  mighty  river  all  would  be  so." 

"  Yes ;  rivers  are  rare  gifts  to  such  as  till  the 
ground,  as  any  one  may  see  who  journeys  far  atween 
the  Rocky  Mountains  and  the  Mississippi.  But  how 
do  you  account  for  these  changes  on  the  face  of  the 
'arth  itself,  and  for  this  dowfall  of  nations,  you  men 
of  the  schools  ?" 

"  It  is  to  be  ascribed  to  moral  cau — " 

"  You're  right — it  is  their  morals  !  their  wicked 
ness  and  their  pride,  and  chiefly  their  waste  that  has 
done  it  all !  Now  listen  to  what  the  experience  of 
an  old  man  teaches  him.  I  have  lived  long,  as  these 
gray  hairs  and  wrinkled  hands  will  show,  even  though 
my  tongue  should  fail  in  the  wisdom  of  my  years.  And 
I  have  seen  much  of  the  folly  of  man  ;  for  his  natur1 
is  the  same,  be  he  born  in  the  wilderness,  or  be  he 
born  in  the  towns.  To  my  weak  judgment  it  hath 
ever  seemed  as  though  his  gifts  are  not  equal  to  his 
wishes.  That  he  would  mount  into  the  heavens,  with 
all  his  deformities  about  him,  if  he  only  knew  the 
road,  no  one  will  gainsay,  that  witnesses  his  bitter 
strivings  upon  'arth.  If  his  power  is  not  equal  to  his 
will,  it  is  because  the  wisdom  of  the  Lord  hath  set 
bounds  to  his  evil  workings." 

"  It  is  much  too  certain  that  certain  facts  will  war 
rant  a  theory,  which  teaches  the  natural  depravity  oi 
the  genus  ;  but  if  science  could  be  fairly  brought  to 
bear  on  a  whole  species  at  once,  for  instance,  educa 
tion  might  eradicate  the  evil  principle." 


THE    PRAIRIE. 

"  That,  for  your  education  !  The  time  has  been 
when  I  have  thought  it  possible  to  make  a  companion 
of  a  beast.  Many  are  the  cubs,  and  many  are  the 
speckled  fawns  that  I  have  reared  with  these  old 
hands,  until  I  have  even  fancied  them  rational  and 
altered  beings — but  what  did  it  amount  to  !  the  bear 
would  bite,  and  the  deer  would  run,  notwithstanding 
my  wicked  conceit  in  fancying  I  could  change  a  tem 
per  that  the  Lord  himself  had  seen  fit  to  bestow. 
Now  if  man  is  so  blinded  in  his  folly  as  to  go  on,  ages 
on  ages,  doing  harm  chiefly  to  himself,  there  is  the 
same  reason  to  think  that  he  has  wrought  his  evil 
here  as  in  the  countries  you  call  so  old.  Look  about 
you,  man ;  where  are  the  multitudes  that  once  peo 
pled  these  prairies  ;  the  kings  and  the  palaces ;  the 
riches  and  the  mightinesses  of  this  desert?" 

"  Where  are  the  monuments  that  would  prove  the 
truth  of  so  vague  a  theory  ?" 

"  I  know  not  what  you  call  a  monument  ?" 

"  The  works  of  man  !  The  glories  of  Thebes  and 
Balbec — columns,  catacombs,  and  pyramids  !  stand 
ing  amid  the  sands  of  the  East,  like  wrecks  on  a 
rocky  shore,  to  testify  to  the  storms  of  ages  !" 

"They  are  gone.  Time  has  lasted  too  long  for  them. 
For  why  ?  time  was  made  by  the  Lord,  and  they  were 
made  by  man.  This  very  spot  of  reeds  and  grass, 
on  which  you  now  sit,  may  once  have  been  the  gar 
den  of  some  mighty  king.  It  is  the  fate  of  all  things 
to  ripen,  and  then  to  decay.  The  tree  blossoms,  and 
bears  its  fruit,  which  falls,  rots,  withers,  and  even  the 
seed  is  lost !  Go,  count  the  rings  of  the  oak  and  of 
the  sycamore  ;  they  lie  in  circles,  one  about  another, 
until  the  eye  is  blinded  in  striving  to  make  out  their 
numbers  ;  and  yet  a  full  change  of  the  seasons  comes 
round  while  the  stem  is  winding  one  of  these  little 
lines  about  itself,  like  the  buffaloe  changing  his  coat 
or  the  buck  his  horns  ;  and  what  does  it  all  amount 
to !  There  does  the  noble  tree  fill  its  place  in  the 
2  E2 


y 


330  THE    PRAIRIE. 

forest,  far  loftier  and  grander,  and  richer,  and  more 
difficult  to  imitate  than  any  of  your  pitiful  pillars,  for 
a  thousand  years,  until  the  time  which  the  Lord  hath 
given  it  is  full.  Then  come  the  winds,  that  you  can 
not  see,  to  rive  its  bark ;  and  the  waters  from  the 
heavens,  to  soften  its  pores ;  and  the  rot,  which  all 
can  feel  and  none  can  understand,  to  humble  its  pride 
and  bring  it  to  the  ground.  From  that  moment  its 
beauty  begins  to  perish.  It  lies  another  hundred 
years,  a  mouldering  log,  and  then  a  mound  of  moss 
and  'arth ;  a  sad  effigy  of  a  human  grave.  This  is 
one  of  your  genuine<p)jftettluments,  though  made  by  a 
very  different  power  than  such  as  belongs  to  your 
chiselling  masonry !  and  after  all,  the  cunningest  scout 
of  the  whole  Dahcotah  nation  might  pass  his  life  in 
searching  for  the  spot  where  it  fell,  and  be  no  wiser 
when  his  eyes  grew  dim  than  when  they  were  first 
opened.  As  if  that  was  riot  enough  to  convince  man 
of  his  ignorance ;  and  as  though  it  were  put  there  in 
mockery  of  his  conceit,  a  pine  shoots  up  from  the 
roots  of  the  oak,  just  as  barrenness  comes  after  fer 
tility,  or  as  these  wastes  have  been  spread  where  a  gar 
den  may  have  been  created.  Tell  me  not  of  your 
worlds  that  are  old  !  it  is  blasphemous  to  set  bounds 
and  seasons,  in  this  manner,  to  the  works  of  the  Al 
mighty,  like  a  woman  counting  the  ages  of  her  young." 

"  Friend  hunter,  or  trapper,1'  returned  the  natural 
ist,  clearing  his  throat  in  some  intellectual  confusion 
at  the  vigorous  attack  of  his  companion,  "  your  de 
ductions,  if  admitted  by  the  world,  would  sadly  cir 
cumscribe  the  efforts  of  reason  and  abridge  the 
boundaries  of  knowledge." 

"  So  much  the  better — so  much  the  better ;  for  1 
have  always  found  that  a  conceited  man  never  knows 
content.  All  things  prove  it.  Why  have  we  not  the 
wings  of  the  pigeon,  the  eyes  of  the  eagle,  and  the 
legs  of  the  moose,  if  it  had  been  intended  that  man 
should  be  equal  to  all  his  wishes  ?" 


THE    PRAIRIE.  331 

"There  are  certain  physical  defects,  venerable 
trapper,  in  which  I  am  always  ready  to  admit  great 
and  happy  alterations  might  be  suggested.  For  ex 
ample,  in  my  own  order  of  Phalangacru — " 

"  Cruel  enough  would  be  the  order,  that  should 
come  from  miserable  hands  like  thine !  A  touch  from 
such  a  finger  would  destroy  the  mocking  deformity  of 
a  monkey  !  Go,  go  ;  human  folly  is  not  needed  to 
fill  up  the  great  design  of  God.  There  is  no  stature, 
no  beauty,  no  proportions,  nor  any  colours  in  which 
man  himself  can  well  be  fashioned,  that  is  not  al 
ready  done  to  his  hands." 

"  That  is  touching  another  great  and  much  dispu 
ted  question,"  exclaimed  the  Doctor,  who  seized  up 
on  every  distinct  idea  that  the  ardent  and  somewhat 
dogmatic  old  man  left  exposed  to  his  mental  grasp, 
with  the  vain  hope  of  inducing  a  logical  discussion, 
in  which  he  might  bring  his  battery  of  syllogisms  to 
annihilate  the  unscientific  defences  of  his  antagonist. 

It  is  however  unnecessary  to  our  narrative  to  relate 
the  erratic  discourse  that  ensued.  The  old  man 
eluded  the  annihilating  blows  of  his  adversary  as  the 
light  armed  soldier  is  wont  to  escape  the  efforts  of 
the  more  regular  warrior,  even  while  he  annoys  him 
most,  and  an  hour  passed  away  without  bringing  any 
of  the  numerous  subjects,  on  which  they  touched,  to 
a  satisfactory  conclusion.  The  arguments  acted  how 
ever  on  the  nervous  system  of  the  Doctor,  like  so 
many  soothing  soporifics,  and  by  the  time  his  aged 
companion  was  disposed  to  lay  his  head  on  his  pack, 
Obed,  vastly  refreshed  by  his  recent  mental  joust, 
was  in  a  condition  to  seek  his  natural  rest,  without 
enduring  the  torments  of  the  incubus,  in  the  shapes 
of  Teton  warriors  a  id  bloody  tomahawks. 


332  THE    PRAIRIE. 

CHAPTEE  XXIII. 

" — Save  you,  sir." Shakspeare. 

THE  sleep  of  the  fugitives  lasted  for  several  hours. 
The  trapper  was  the  first  to  shake  off  its  influence, 
as  he  had  been  the  last  to  court  its  refreshment. 
Rising,  just  as  the  gray  light  of  day  began  to  brighten 
that  portion  of  the  studded  vault  which  rested  on  the 
eastern  margin  of  the  plain,  he  summoned  his  com 
panions  from  their  warm  lairs,  and  pointed  out  the 
necessity  of  their  being  once  more  on  the  alert. 
While  Middleton  attended  to  the  arrangements  ne 
cessary  to  the  comforts  of  Inez  and  Ellen,  in  the  long 
and  painful  journey  which  lay  before  them,  the  old 
man  and  Paul  prepared  the  meal,  which  the  former 
had  advised  them  to  take  before  they  proceeded  to 
horse.  These  several  dispositions  were  not  long  in 
making,  and  the  little  groupe  was  soon  seated  about 
a  repast  which,  though  it  might  want  the  elegancies 
to  which  the  bride  of  Middleton  had  been  accustom 
ed,  was  not  deficient  in  the  more  important  requisites 
of  savour  and  nutriment. 

"  When  we  get  lower  into  the  hunting-grounds  of 
the  Pawnees,"  said  the  trapper,  laying  a  morsel  of 
of  delicate  venison  before  Inez,  on  a  little  trencher 
neatly  made  of  horn,  and  expressly  for  his  own  use, 
"  we  shall  find  the  buffaloes  fatter  and  sweeter,  the 
deer  in  more  abundance,  and  all  the  gifts  of  the  Lord 
abounding  to  satisfy  our  wants.  Perhaps  we  may  even 
strike  a  beaver,  and  get  a  morsel  from  his  tail  by  way 
of  a  rare  mouthful." 

"  What  course  do  you  mean  to  pursue,  when  you 
have  once  thrown  these  bloodhounds  from  the 
chase  ?"  demanded  Middleton. 

"  If  I  might  advise,"  cried  Paul,  "  it  would  be  to 


THE    PRAIRIE.  333 

strike  a  water-course,  and  get  upon  its  downward 
current  as  soon  as  may  be.  Give  me  a  cotton-wood, 
and  I  will  turn  you  out  a  canoe  that  shall  carry  us 
all,  the  jackass  excepted,  in  perhaps  the  work  of  a 
day  and  a  night.  Ellen,  here,  is  a  lively  girl  enough, 
but  then  she  is  no  great  race-rider ;  and  it  would  be 
far  more  comfortable  to  boat  six  or  eight  hundred 
miles,  than  to  go  loping  along  like  so  many  elks  meas 
uring  the  prairies  ;  besides,  water  leaves  no  trail." 

"  I  will  not  swear  to  that,"  returned  the  trapper ; 
"  I  have  often  thought  the  eyes  of  a  Red-skin  would 
find  a  trail  in  air." 

"  See,  Middleton,"  exclaimed  Inez,  in  a  sudden 
burst  of  youthful  pleasure,  that  caused  her  for  a  mo 
ment  to  forget  her  situation.  "  How  lovely  is  that 
sky ;  surely  it  contains  a  promise  of  happier  times !" 

"  It  is  glorious  !"  returned  her  husband.  "  Glori 
ous  and  heavenly  is  that  streak  of  vivid  red,  and  here 
is  a  still  brighter  crimson — rarely  have  I  seen  a  richer 
rising  of  the  sun." 

"  Rising  of  the  sun  !"  slowly  repeated  the  old  man, 
lifting  his  tall  person  from  its  seat,  with  a  deliberate 
and  abstracted  air,  while  he  kept  his  eye  riveted  on 
the  changing,  and  certainly  beautiful  tints,  that  were 
garnishing  the  vault  of  Heaven.  "  Rising  of  the  sun  ! 
I  like  not  such  risings  of  the  sun.  Ah's  me  !  the  imps 
have  circumvented  us  with  a  vengeance.  The  prai 
rie  is  on  fire !" 

"  God  in  Heaven  protect  us  !"  cried  Middleton, 
catching  Inez  to  his  bosom  under  the  instant  impres 
sion  of  the  imminence  of  their  danger.  "  There  is 
no  time  to  lose,  old  man  ;  each  instant  is  a  day ;  let 
us  fly." 

"  Whither?"  demanded  the  trapper,  motioning  him 
with  calmness  and  dignity,  to  arrest  his  steps.  "  In 
this  wilderness  of  grass  and  reeds,  you  are  like  a  ves 
sel  in  the  broad  lakes  without  a  compass.  A  single 
step  on  the  wrong  course  might  prove  the  destruction 


334  THE    PRAIRIE. 

of  us  all.  It  is  seldom  danger  is  so  pressing  that 
there  is  not  time  enough  for  reason  to  do  its  work, 
young  officer,  therefore  let  us  await  its  biddings." 

"  For  my  own  part,"  said  Paul  Hover,  looking 
about  him  with  no  unequivocal  expression  of  con 
cern,  "  I  acknowledge,  that  should  this  dry  bed  of 
weeds  get  fairly  in  a  flame,  a  bee  would  have  to  make 
a  flight  higher  than  common  to  prevent  his  wings 
from  scorching.  Therefore,  old  trapper,  I  agree  with 
the  captain,  and  say  mount  and  run." 

"  Ye  are  wrong — ye  are  wrong — man  is  not  a  beast 
to  follow  the  gift  of  instinct,  and  to  snuff  up  his  know 
ledge  by  a  taint  in  the  air,  or  a  rumbling  in  the  sound ; 
but  he  must  see  and  reason,  and  then  conclude.  So 
follow  me  a  little  to  the  left,  where  there  is  a  rise  in 
the  ground,  whence  we  may  make  our  reconnoi 
trings." 

The  old  man  waved  his  hand  with  authority,  and 
led  the  way  without  further  parlance  to  the  spot  he 
had  indicated,  followed  by  the  whole  of  his  alarmed 
companions.  An  eye  less  practised  than  that  of  the 
trapper  might  have  failed  in  discovering  the  gentle 
elevation  to  which  he  alluded,  and  which  looked  on 
the  surface  of  the  meadow  like  a  growth  a  little  tall 
er  than  common.  When  they  reached  the  place, 
however,  the  stinted  grass,  itself,  announced  the  ab 
sence  of  that  moisture,  which  had  fed  the  rank  weeds 
of  most  of  the  plain,  and  furnished  a  clue  to  the  evi 
dence,  by  which  he  had  judged  of  the  formation  of 
the  ground  hidden  beneath.  Here  a  few  minutes 
were  lost  in  breaking  down  the  tops  of  the  surround 
ing  herbage,  which,  notwithstanding  the  advantage  of 
their  position,  rose  even  above  the  heads  of  Middle- 
ton  and  Paul,  and  in  obtaining  a  look-out  that  might 
command  a  view  of  the  surrounding  sea  of  fire. 

The  frightful  prospect  added  noting  to  the  hopes 
of  those  who  had  such  a  fearful  stake  in  the  result. 
Although  the  day  was  beginning  to  dawn,  the  vivid 


THE    PRAIRIE.  335 

colours  of  the  sky  continued  to  deepen,  as  if  the 
fierce  element  were  bent  on  an  impious  rivalry  of  the 
light  of  the  sun.  Bright  flashes  of  flame  shot  up  here 
and  there,  along  the  margin  of  the  waste,  like  the 
nimble  confiscations  of  the  North,  but  far  more  an- 
ry  and  threatening  in  their  colour  and  changes. 

he  anxiety  on  the  rigid  features  of  the  trapper  sen 
sibly  deepened  as  he  leisurely  traced  these  evidences 
of  a  conflagration,  which  spread  in  a  broad  belt  about 
their  place  of  refuge,  until  he  had  encircled  the  whole 
horizon. 

Shaking  his  head,  as  he  again  turned  his  face  to  the 
point,  where  the  danger  seemed  nighest  and  most 
rapidly  approaching,  the  old  man  said — 

"  Now  have  we  been  cheating  ourselves  with  the 
belief  that  we  had  thrown  these  Tetons  from  our 
trail,  while  here  is  proof  enough  that  they  not  only 
know  where  we  lie,  but  that  they  intend  to  smoke  us 
out,  like  so  many  skulking  beasts  of  prey.  See  ;  they 
have  lighted  the  fire  around  the  whole  bottom  at  the 
same  moment,  and  we  are  as  completely  hemmed  in 
by  the  devils  as  an  island  by  its  waters." 

"  Let  us  mount  and  ride,"  cried  Middleton ;  u  is 
life  not  worth  a  stuggle  ?" 

"  Whither  would  ye  go  ?  Is  a  Teton  horse  a  sala 
mander  that  can  walk  amid  fiery  flames  unhurt,  or 
do  you  think  the  Lord  will  show  his  might  in  your 
behalf,  as  in  the  days  of  old,  and  carry  you  harmless 
through  such  a  furnace  as  you  may  see  glowing  be 
neath  yonder  red  sky  !  There  are  Siouxes  too,  hem 
ming  the  fire  with  their  arrows  and  knives,  on  every 
side  of  us,  or  I  am  no  judge  of  their  murderous  de 
viltries." 

"  We  will  ride  into  the  centre  of  the  whole  tribe,11 
returned  the  youth  fiercely,  "  and  put  their  manhood 
to  the  test."  * 

"  Ay,  it's  well  in  words,  but  what  would  it  prove 


336  THE    PRAIRIE. 

in  deeds  ?     Here  is  a  dealer  in  bees,  who  can  teach 
you  wisdom  in  a  matter  like  this." 

"  Now  for  that  matter,  old  trapper,"  said  Paul, 
stretching  his  athletic  form  like  a  mastiff  conscious  of 
his  strength,  "  I  am  on  the  side  of  the  captain,  and 
am  clearly  for  a  race  against  the  tire,  though  it  line 
me  into  a  Teton  wigwam.  Here  is  Ellen,  who 
will—" 

"  Of  what  use,  of  what  use  are  your  stout  hearts, 
when  the  element  of  the  Lord  is  to  be  conquered  as 
well  as  human  men.  Look  about  you,  friends  ;  the 
wreath  of  smoke,  that  is  rising  from  the  bottoms, 
plainly  says  that  there  is  no  outlet  from  the  spot, 
without  crossing  a  belt  of  fire.  Look  for  yourselves, 
my  men;  look  for  yourselves;  and  if  you  can  find  a 
single  opening  I  will  engage  to  follow." 

The  examination,  which  his  companions  so  instant 
ly  and  so  intently  made,  rather  served  to  assure  them 
of  their  desperate  situation  than  to  appease  their 
fears.  Huge  columns  of  smoke  were  rolling  up  from 
the  plain,  and  thickening  in  gloomy  masses  around 
the  horizon.  The  red  glow,  which  gleamed  upon 
their  enormous  folds,  now  lighting  their  volumes 
with  the  glare  of  the  conflagration,  and  now  flashed 
to  another  point,  as  the  flame  beneath  glided  ahead, 
leaving  all  behind  enveloped  in  awful  darkness,  and 
proclaiming  louder  than  words  the  character  of  the 
imminent  and  rapidly  approaching  danger. 

"  This  is  terrible  !"  exclaimed  Middleton,  folding 
the  trembling  Inez  to  his  heart.  "  At  such  a  time  as 
this,  and  in  such  a  manner  !" 

"  The  gates  of  Heaven  are  open  to  all  who  truly 
believe,"  murmured  the  pious  devotee  in  his  bosom. 

"  This  resignation  is  maddening  !  But  we  are  men, 
and  will  make  a  struggle  for  our  lives  !  How  now, 
my  brave  and  spirited  friend,  shall  we  yet  mount  and 
push  across  the  flames,  or  shall  we  stand  here,  and 


THE    PRAIRIE.  337 

see  those  we  most  love  perish,  in  th  s  frightful  man 
ner,  without  an  effort." 

"  I  am  for  a  swarming  time,  and  a  flight  before  the 
hive  is  too  hot  to  hold  us,"  said  the  bee-hunter,  to 
whom  it  will  be  at  once  seen  that  the  half  distracted 
M iddleton  addressed  himself.  "  Come,  old  trapper, 
you  must  acknowledge  this  is  but  a  slow  way  of  get 
ting  out  of  danger.  If  we  tarry  here  much  longer, 
it  will  be  in  the  fashion  that  the  bees  lie  around  the 
straw  after  the  hive  has  been  smoked  for  its  honey. 
You  may  hear  the  fire  begin  to  roar  already,  and  I 
know  by  experience,  that  when  the  flame  once  gets 
fairly  into  the  prairie  grass,  it  is  no  sloth  that  can 
outrun  it." 

"  Think  you,"  returned  the  old  man,  pointing 
scornfully  at  the  mazes  of  the  dry  and  matted  grass, 
which  environed  them, "  that  mortal  feet  can  outstrip 
the  speed  of  fire,  on  such  a  path !  If  I  only  knew 
now  on  which  side  these  miscreants  lay ! — " 

"  What  say  you,  friend  Doctor,"  cried  the  bewil 
dered  Paul,  turning  to  the  naturalist,  with  that  sort 
of  helplessness  with  which  the  strong  are  often  apt 
to  seek  aid  of  the  weak,  when  human  power  is  baffled 
by  the  hand  of  a  mightier  being,  "  what  say  you ; 
have  you  no  advice  to  give  away,  in  a  case  of  life  and 
death?" 

The  naturalist  stood,  tablets  in  hand,  looking  at 
the  awful  spectacle,  with  as  much  composure  as 
though  the  conflagration  had  been  lighted  in  order  to 
solve  the  difficulties  of  some  scientific  problem. 
Aroused  by  the  question  of  his  companion,  he  turned 
to  his  equally  calm  though  differently  occupied  asso 
ciate  the  trapper,  demanding,  with  the  most  provoking 
insensibility  to  the  urgent  nature  of  their  situation — 

"  Venerable  hunter,  you  have  often  witnessed  simi 
lar  prismatic  experiments — " 

He  was  rudely  interrupted  by  Paul,  who  struck 
the  tablets  from  his  hands,  with  a  violence  that  be- 
2F 


338  THE    PRAIRIE. 

trayed  the  utter  intellectual  confusion  which  had 
overset  the  equanimity  of  his  mind.  Before  time 
was  allowed  for  remonstrance,  the  old  man,  who  had 
continued  during  the  whole  scene  like  one  much  at 
a  loss  how  to  proceed,  though  also  like  one  who  was 
rather  perplexed  than  alarmed,  suddenly  assumed  a 
decided  air,  as  if  he  no  longer  doubted  on  the  course 
it  was  most  adviseable  to  pursue. 

"  It  is  time  to  be  doing,"  he  said,  interrupting  the 
controversy  that  was  about  to  ensue  between  the 
naturalist  and  the  bee-hunter;  "it  is  time  to  leave 
off  books  and  meanings,  and  to  be  doing." 

"  You  have  come  to  your  recollections  too  late, 
miserable  old  man,"  cried  Middleton ;  "  the  flames 
are  within  a  quarter  of  a  mile  of  us,  and  the  wind  is 
bringing  them  down  in  this  quarter,  with  dreadful 
rapidity." 

"  Anan  !  the  flames  !  I  care  but  little  for  the  flames. 
If  I  only  knew  how  to  circumvent  the  cunning  of  the 
Tetons,  as  I  know  how  to  cheat  the  fire  of  its  prey, 
there  would  be  nothing  needed  but  thanks  to  the 
Lord  for  our  deliverance.  Do  you  call  this  a  fire ! 
If  you  had  seen,  what  I  have  witnessed  in  the  Eastern 
hills,  when  mighty  mountains  were  like  the  furnace 
of  a  smith,  you  would  have  known  what  it  was  to 
fear  the  flames  and  to  be  thankful  that  you  were 
spared!  Come,  lads,  come;  'tis  time  to  be  doing 
now,  and  to  cease  talking;  for  yonder  curling  flame 
is  truly  coming  on  like  a  trotting  moose.  Put  hands 
upon  this  short  and  withered  grass  where  we  stand, 
and  lay  bare  the  'arth." 

"  Would  you  think  to  deprive  the  fire  of  its  vic 
tims  in  this  childish  manner !"  exclaimed  Middleton. 

A  faint  but  solemn  smile  passed  over  the  features 
of  the  old  man  as  he  answered — 

"  Your  gran'ther  would  have  said,  that  when  the 
enemy  was  nigh,  a  soldier  could  do  no  better  than  to 
obey." 


**.  * 

THE    PRAIRIE.  339 

The  captain  felt  the  reproof,  and  instantly  began 
to  imitate  the  industry  of  Paul,  who  was  tearing  the 
decayed  herbage  from  the  ground  in  a  sort  of  des 
perate  compliance  with  the  trapper's  direction.  Even 
Ellen  lent  her  hands  to  the  labour,  nor  was  it  long  be 
fore  Inez  was  seen  similarly  employed,  though  none  / 
amongst  them  knew  why  or  wherefore.  When  life  / 
is  thought  to  be  the  reward  of  labour,  men  are  wont  v 
to  be  industrious.  A  very  few  moments  sufficed  to 
lay  bare  a  spot  of  some  twenty  feet  in  diameter. 
Into  one  edge  of  this  little  area  the  trapper  brought 
the  females,  directing  Middleton  and  Paul  to  cover 
their  light  and  inflammable  dresses  with  the  blankets 
of  the  party.  So  soon  as  this  precaution  was  ob 
served,  the  old  man  approached  the  opposite  margin 
of  the  grass,  which  still  environed  them  in  a  tall  and 
dangerous  circle,  and  selecting  a  handful  of  the  driest 
of  the  herbage  he  placed  it  over  the  pan  of  his  rifle. 
The  light  combustible  kindled  at  the  flash.  Then  he 
placed  the  little  flame  into  a  bed  of  the  standing  fog, 
and  withdrawing  from  the  spot  to  the  centre  of  the 
ring,  he  patiently  awaited  the  result. 

The  subtle  element  seized  with  avidity  upon  its 
new  fuel,  and  in  a  moment  forked  flames  were  gliding 
among  the  grass,  as  the  tongues  of  ruminating  animals 
are  seen  rolling  among  their  food,  apparently  in  quest 
of  its  sweetest  portions. 

"  Now,"  said  the  old  man,  holding  up  a  finger,  and 
laughing  in  his  peculiarly  silent  manner,  "  you  shall 
see  fire  fight  fire  !  Ah's  me  !  many  is  the  time  I  have 
burnt  a  smootly  path,  from  wanton  laziness  to  pick 
my  way  across  a  tangled  bottom." 

"  But  is  this  not  fatal !"  cried  the  amazed  Middle- 
ton;  "are  you  not  bringing  the  enemy  nigher  to  us 
instead  of  avoiding  it?" 

"Do  you  scorch  so  easily?  your  granHher  had  a 
tougher  skin.  But  we  shall  live  to  see ;  we  shall  all 
live  to  see." 


340  THE    PRAIRIE. 

The  experience  of  the  trapper  was  in  the  right 
As  the  fire  gained  strength  and  heat  it  began  to  spread 
on  three  sides,  dying  of  itself  on  the  fourth,  for  want 
of  aliment.  As  it  increased,  and  the  sullen  roaring 
announced  its  power,  it  cleared  every  thing  before  it, 
leaving  the  black  and  smoking  soil  far  more  naked 
than  if  the  scythe  had  swept  the  place.  The  situa 
tion  of  the  fugitives  would  have  still  been  hazardous 
had  not  the  area  enlarged  as  the  flame  encircled 
them.  But  by  advancing  to  the  spot  where  the  trap 
per  had  kindled  the  grass,  they  avoided  the  heat,  and 
in  a  very  few  moments  the  flames  began  to  recede  in 
every  quarter,  leaving  them  enveloped  in  a  cloud  of 
smoke,  but  perfectly  safe  from  the  torrent  of  fire  that 
was  still  furiously  rolling  onward. 

The  spectators  regarded  the  simple  expedient  of 
the  trapper  with  that  species  of  wonder,  with  which 
the  courtiers  of  Ferdinand  are  said  to  have  viewed 
the  manner  in  which  Columbus  made  his  egg  to  stand 
on  its  end,  though  with  feelings  that  were  filled  with 
gratitude  instead  of  envy. 

"  Most  wonderful !"  said  Middleton,  when  he  saw 
the  complete  success  of  the  means  by  which  they 
had  been  rescued  from  a  danger  that  he  had  con 
ceived  to  be  unavoidable.  "  The  thought  was  a  gift 
from  heaven,  and  the  hand  that  executed  it  should  be 
immortal." 

"  Old  trapper,"  cried  Paul,  thrusting  his  fingers 
through  his  shaggy  locks,  "  I  have  lined  many  a  load 
ed  bee  into  his  hole,  and  know  something  of  the  na 
ture  of  the  woods,  but  this  is  robbing  a  hornet  of  his 
sting  without  touching  the  insect !" 

"  It  will  do — it  will  do,"  returned  the  old  man, 
who  after  the  first  moment  of  his  success  seemed  to 
think  no  more  of  the  exploit;  "now  get  the  horses 
in  readiness.  Let  the  flames  do  their  work  for  a 
short  half  hour,  and  then  we  will  mount.  That 
time  is  needed  to  cool  the  meadow,  for  these  unshod 


THE    PRAIRIE.  341 

Teton  beasts  are  as  tender  on  the  hoof  as  a  bare 
footed  girl." 

Middleton  and  Paul,  who  considered  this  unlooked- 
for  escape  as  a  species  of  resurrection,  patiently 
awaited  the  time  the  trapper  mentioned  with  re 
newed  confidence  in  the  infallibility  of  his  judgment. 
The  Doctor  regained  his  tablets,  a  little  the  worse 
from  having  fallen  among  the  grass  which  had  been 
subject  to  the  action  of  the  flames,  and  was  consoling 
himself  for  this  slight  misfortune  by  recording  unin 
terruptedly  such  different  vaccillations  in  light  and 
shadow  as  he  chose  to  consider  as  phenomena. 

In  the  mean  time  the  veteran,  on  whose  experience 
they  all  so  implicitly  relied  for  protection,  employed 
himself  in  reconnoitring  objects  in  the  distance, 
through  the  openings  which  the  air  occasionally 
made  in  the  immense  bodies  of  smoke,  that  by  this 
time  lay  in  enormous  piles  on  every  part  of  the  plain. 

"  Look  you  here,  lads,"  the  trapper  said,  after  a 
long  and  anxious  examination,  "  your  eyes  are  young 
and  may  prove  better  than  my  worthless  sight — 
though  the  time  has  been,  when  a  wise  and  brave 
people  saw  reason  to  think  me  quick  on  a  look-out ; 
but  those  times  are  gone,  and  many  a  true  and  tried 
friend  has  passed  away  with  them.  Ah's  me !  if  I 
could  choose  a  change  in  the  orderings  of  Provi 
dence — which  I  cannot  and  which  it  would  be  blas 
phemy  to  attempt,  seeing  that  all  things  are  governed 
by  a  wiser  mind  than  belongs  to  mortal  weakness — 
but  if  I  were  to  choose  a  change,  it  would  be  to  say, 
that  such  as  they  who  have  lived  long  together  in 
friendship  and  kindness,  and  who  have  proved  their 
fitness  to  go  in  company,  by  many  acts  of  suffering 
and  daring  in  each  other's  behalf,  should  be  permit 
ted  to  give  up  life  at  such  times,  as  when  the  death 
of  one  leaves  the  other  but  little  reason  to  wish  to 
live." 

2F2 


342  THE    PRAIRIE. 

"  Is  it  an  Indian,  that  you  see?"  demanded  the 
impatient  Middleton. 

"  Red  skin  or  White  skin  it  is  much  the  same. 
Friendship  and  use  can  tie  men  as  strongly  together 
in  the  woods  as  in  the  towns — ay,  and  for  that  mat 
ter,  stronger.  Here  are  the  young  warriors  of  the 
prairies — Often  do  they  sort  themselves  in  pairs,  and 
set  apart  their  lives  for  deeds  of  friendship ;  and  well 
and  truly  do  they  act  up  to  their  promises.  The 
death-blow  to  one  is  commonly  mortal  to  the  other ! 
I  have  been  a  solitary  man  much  of  my  time,  if  he 
can  be  called  solitary,  who  has  lived  for  seventy 
years  in  the  very  bosom  of  natur',  and  where  he 
could  at  any  instant  open  his  heart  to  God  without 
having  to  strip  it  of  the  cares  and  wickednesses  of  the 
settlements — but  making  that  allowance,  have  I  been 
a  solitary  man ;  and  yet  have  I  always  found  that  in 
tercourse  with  my  kind  was  pleasant,  and  painful  to 
break  off,  provided  that  the  companion  was  but  brave 
and  honest.  Brave,  because  a  skeary  comrade  in  the 
woods,"  suffering  his  eyes  inadvertently  to  rest  a 
moment  on  the  person  of  the  abstracted  naturalist, 
"  is  apt  to  make  a  short  path  long ;  and  honest,  inas 
much  as  craftiness  is  rather  an  instinct  of  the  brutes, 
than  a  gift  becoming  the  reason  of  a  human  man." 

"  But  the  object,  that  you  saw — was  it  a  Sioux  ?" 

"  What  the  world  of  America  is  coming  to,  and 
where  the  machinations  and  inventions  of  its  people 
are  to  have  an  end,  the  Lord,  he  only  knows.  I  have 
seen,  in  my  day,  the  chief  who,  in  his  time,  had  be 
held  the  first  Christian  that  placed  his  wicked  foot  in 
the  regions  of  York !  How  much  has  the  beauty  of 
the  wilderness  been  deformed  in  two  short  lives! 
My  own  eyes  were  first  opened  on  the  shores  of  the 
Eastern  sea,  and  well  do  I  remember,  that  I  tried 
the  virtues  of  the  first  rifle  I  ever  bore,  after  such  a 
march,  from  the  door  of  my  father  to  the  forest,  as  a 


THE  PRAIRIE.  343 

stripling  could  make  between  sun  and  sun ;  and  that 
without  offence  to  the  rights  or  prejudices  of  any  man 
who  set  himself  up  to  be  the  owner  of  the  beasts  of 
the  fields.  Natur'  then  lay  in  its  glory  along  the 
whole  coast,  giving  a  narrow  stripe,  between  the 
woods  and  the  Ocean,  to  the  greediness  of  the  set 
tlers.  And  where  am  I  now  ?  Had  I  the  wings  of  an 
eagle  they  would  tire  before  a  tenth  of  the  distance* 
which  separates  me  from  that  sea  could  be  passed  a 
and  towns  and  villages,  farms,  and  highways,  churches 
and  schools,  in  short,  all  the  inventions  and  deviltries 
of  man,  are  spread  across  the  region.  I  have  known 
the  time  when  a  few  Red-skins,  shouting  along  the 
borders,  could  set  the  provinces  in  a  fever;  and  men  : 
were  to  be  armed ;  and  troops  were  to  be  called  to  | 
aid  from  a  distant  land ;  and  prayers  were  said,  and 
the  women  frighted,  and  few  slept  in  quiet  because 
the  Iroquois  were  on  the  war  path,  and  the  accursed 
Mingo  had  the  tomahawk  in  his  hand.  How  is  it 
now  ?  The  country  sends  out  her  ships  to  foreign 
lands,  to  wage  their  battles;  cannon  are  plentier  than 
the  rifle  used  to  be,  and  trained  soldiers  are  nevei 
wanting,  in  tens  of  thousands,  when  need  calls  foi 
their  services.  Such  is  the  difference  atween  a  p 
ince  and  a  state,  my  men ;  and  I,  miserable  and  woi 
out  as  I  seem,  have  lived  to  see  it  all!" 

"  That  you  must  have  seen  many  a  chopper  skim 
ming  the  cream  from  the  face  of  the  earth,  and  many 
a  settler  getting  the  very  honey  of  nature,  old  trap 
per,"  said  Paul,  "  no  reasonabJe  man  can,  or,  for  that 
matter,  shall  doubt.  But  here  is  Ellen  getting  un 
easy  about  the  Siouxes,  and  now  you  have  given 
your  mind  so  freely  concerning  these  matters,  if  you 
will  just  put  us  on  the  line  of  our  flight,  the  swarm 
will  make  another  move." 

"Anan!" 

*•  I  say  that  Ellen  is  getting  uneasy,  and  as  the 


344  THE    PRAIRIE. 

smoke  is  lifting  from  the  plain,  it  may  be  prudent  to 
take  another  flight." 

"  The  boy  is  reasonable.  I  had  forgotten  we  were 
in  the  midst  of  a  raging  fire,  and  that  Siouxes  were 
round  about  us  like  hungry  wolves  watching  a  drove 
of  buffaloes.  But  when  memory  is  at  work  in  my 
old  brain,  on  times  long  past,  it  is  apt  to  overlook 
the  matters  of  the  day.  You  say  right,  my  children, 
it  is  time  to  be  moving,  and  now  comes  the  real 
nicety  of  our  case.  It  is  easy  to  outwit  a  furnace, 
for  it  is  nothing  but  a  raging  element ;  and  it  is  not 
always  difficult  to  throw  a  grizzly  bear  from  his 
scent,  for  the  creatur1  is  both  enlightened  and  blinded 
by  his  instinct;  but  to  shut  the  eyes  of  a  waking  Te- 
ton  is  a  matter  of  greater  judgment,  inasmuch  as  his 
deviltry  is  backed  by  the  cunning  of  reason." 

Notwithstanding  the  old  man  appeared  thus  con 
scious  of  the  difficulty  of  the  undertaking,  he  se- 
about  its  achievement  with  great  steadiness  and  alac 
rity.  After  completing  the  examination,  which  had 
been  interrupted  by  the  melancholy  wanderings  of 
his  mind,  he  gave  the  signal  to  his  companions  to 
mount.  The  horses,  which  had  continued  passive 
and  trembling  amid  the  raging  of  the  fire,  received 
their  burthens  with  a  satisfaction  so  very  evident,  as 
to  furnish  a  favourable  augury  of  their  future  industry. 
The  trapper  invited  the  Doctor  to  take  his  own  steed, 
declaring  his  intention  to  proceed  on  foot. 

"  I  am  but  little  used  to  journeying  with  the  feet 
of  others,"  he  added,  as  a  reason  for  the  measure, 
"  and  my  legs  are  a-weary  of  doing  nothing.  Besides, 
should  we  light  suddenly  on  an  ambushment,  which 
is  a  thing  far  from  impossible,  the  horse  will  be  in  a 
better  condition  for  a  hard  run  with  one  man  on  his 
back  than  with  two.  As  for  me,  what  matters  it 
whether  my  time  is  to  be  a  day  shorter  or  longer. 
Let  the  Tetons  take  my  scalp,  if  it  be  God's  plea- 


THE    PRAIRIE.  345 

sure ;  they  will  find  it  covered  with  gray  hairs,  and 
it  is  beyond  the  craft  of  man  to  cheat  me  of  the 
knowledge  and  experience  hy  which  they  have  been 
whitened." 

As  no  one  among  the  impatient  listeners  seemed 
disposed  to  dispute  the  arrangement,  it  was  acceded 
to  in  silence.  The  Doctor,  though  he  muttered  a 
few  mourning  exclamations  on  behalf  of  the  lost 
Asinus,  was  by  far  too  well  pleased  in  finding  that  his 
speed  was  likely  to  be  sustained  by  four  legs  instead 
of  two,  to  be  long  in  complying,  and,  consequently, 
in  a  very  few  moments  the  bee-hunter,  who  was  never 
last  to  speak  on  such  occasions,  vociferously  an 
nounced  that  they  were  ready  to  proceed. 

"  Now  look  off  yonder  to  the  East,"  said  the  old 
man,  as  he  began  to  lead  the  way  across  the  murky 
and  still  smoking  plain ;  "  little  fear  of  cold  feet  in 
journeying  such  a  path  as  this — but  look  you  off  to 
the  East,  and  if  you  see  a  sheet  of  shining  white, 
glistening  like  a  plate  of  beaten  silver  through  the 
openings  of  the  smoke,  why  that  is  water.  A  noble 
stream  is  running  thereaway,  and  I  thought  I  got  a 
glimpse  of  it  a  while  since ;  but  other  thoughts  came 
and  I  lost  it.  It  is  a  broad  and  swift  river,  such  as 
the  Lord  has  made  many  of  its  fellows  in  this  desert. 
For  here  may  natur'  be  seen  in  all  its  richness,  trees 
alone  excepted.  Trees,  which  are  to  the  'arth,  as 
fruits  to  a  garden ;  without  them  nothing  can  be  pleas 
ant  or  thoroughly  useful.  Now  watch  all  of  you, 
with  open  eyes,  for  that  stripe  of  glittering  water,  for 
we  shall  not  be  safe  until  it  is  flowing  between  our 
trail  and  these  sharp  sighted  Tetons." 

The  latter  declaration  was  enough  to  insure  a  vigi 
lant  look-out  for  the  desired  stream  on  the  part  of 
all  the  trapper's  followers.  With  this  object  in  view, 
the  party  proceeded  in  profound  silence,  the  old  man 
having  admonished  them  of  the  necessity  of  caution 
as  they  entered  the  clouds  of  smoke,  which  were  roll- 


346  THE    PRAIRIE* 

ing  like  masses  of  fog  along  the  plain,  more  particu 
larly  over  those  spots  where  the  fire  had  encountered 
occasional  pools  of  stagnant  water. 

They  had  travelled  near  a  league  in  this  manner, 
without  obtaining  the  desired  glimpse  of  the  river 
The  fire  was  still  raging  in  the  distance,  and  as  the 
air  swept  away  the  first  vapour  of  the  conflagration, 
fresh  volumes  rolled  along  the  place,  limiting  the 
view.  At  length  the  old  man,  who  had  begun  to  be 
tray  some  little  uneasiness,  which  caused  his  followers 
to  apprehend  that  even  his  acute  faculties  were  be 
ginning  to  be  confused  in  the  mazes  of  the  smoke, 
made  a  sudden  pause,  and  dropping  his  rifle  to  the 
ground,  he  stood,  apparently  musing  over  some  object 
at  his  feet.  Middleton  and  the  rest  rode  up  to  his 
side  and  demanded  the  reason  of  the  halt. 

"  Look  ye,  here,"  returned  the  trapper,  pointing 
to  the  mutilated  carcass  of  a  horse,  that  lay  more 
than  half  consumed  in  a  little  hollow  of  the  ground; 
"  here  may  you  see  the  power  of  a  prairie  conflagra 
tion.  The  'arth  is  moist,  hereaway,  and  the  grass 
has  been  taller  than  usual.  This  miserable  beast  has 
been  caught  in  his  bed.  You  see  the  bones;  the 
crackling  and  scorched  hide,  and  the  grinning  teeth. 
A  thousand  winters  could  not  wither  an  animal  so 
thoroughly  as  the  element  has  done  it  in  a  minute." 

"  And  this  might  have  been  our  fate,"  said  Middle- 
ton,  "  had  the  flames  come  upon  us  in  our  sleep  !" 

"  Nay,  I  do  not  say  that.  I  do  not  say  that.  Not 
but  that  man  will  burn  as  well  as  tinder ;  but,  that 
being  more  reasoning  than  a  horse,  he  would  better 
know  how  to  avoid  the  danger." 

"  Perhaps  this  then  has  been  but  the  carcass  of  an 
animal,  or  he  too  would  have  fled." 

"  See  you  these  marks  in  the  damp  soil  ?  Here 
have  been  his  hoofs, — and  there  is  a  moccasin  print 
as  I'm  a  sinner  !  The  owner  of  the  beast  has  tried 
hard  to  move  him  from  the  place,  but  it  is  in  the  in- 


THE    PRAIRIE.  347 

stinct  of  the  of  the  creatur'  to  be  faint-hearted  and 
obstinate  in  a  fire." 

"  It  is  a  well-known  fact.  But  if  the  animal  has 
had  a  rider,  where  is  he  ?" 

"  Ay,  therein  lies  the  mystery,"  returned  the  trap 
per,  stooping  to  examine  the  signs  in  the  ground  with 
a  closer  eye.  "  Yes,  yes,  it  is  plain  there  has  been  a 
long  struggle  atween  the  two.  The  master  has  tried 
hard  to  save  his  beast,  and  the  flames  must  have  been 
very  greedy  or  he  would  have  had  better  success." 

"  Harkee,  old  trapper,"  interrupted  Paul,  pointing 
to  a  little  distance,  where  the  ground  was  drier  and 
the  herbage  had,  in  consequence,  been  less  luxuriant; 
"just  call  them  two  horses.  Yonder  lies  another." 

"  The  boy  is  right !  can  it  be,  that  the  Tetons  have 
been  caught  in  their  own  snares?  Such  things  do  hap 
pen  ;  and  here  is  an  example  to  all  evil-doers.  Ay, 
look  you  here,  this  is  iron  ;  there  have  been  some 
white  inventions  about  the  trappings  of  the  beast — 
it  must  be  so — it  must  be  so — a  party  of  the  knaves 
have  been  skirting  in  the  grass  after  us,  while  their 
friends  have  fired  the  prairie,  and  look  you  at  the 
consequences  ;  they  have  lost  their  beasts,  and  happy 
have  they  been  if  their  own  souls  are  not  now  skirt 
ing  along  the  path  which  leads  to  the  Indian  heaven." 

"  They  had  the  same  expedient  at  command  as 
yourself,"  rejoined  Middleton,  as  the  party  slowly 
proceeded,  approaching  the  other  carcass,  which  lay 
directly  on  their  route. 

"  I  know  not  that.  It  is  not  every  savage  that  car 
ries  his  steel  and  flint,  or  as  good  a  rifle-pan  as  this 
old  friend  of  mine.  It  is  slow  making  a  fire  with  two 
sticks,  and  little  time  was  given  to  consider  or  invent 
just  at  this  spot,  as  you  may  see  by  yon  streak  of 
flame,  which  is  flashing  along  afore  the  wind  as  if  it 
were  on  a  trail  of  powder.  It  is  not  many  minutes 
since  the  fire  has  passed  hereaway,  and  it  may  be 
well  to  look  at  our  primings,  not  that  I  would  willing- 


348  THE    PRAIRIE. 

ly  combat  the  Tetons,  God  forbid !  but  if  a  fight 
needs  be,  it  is  always  wise  to  get  the  first  shot." 

"  This  has  been  a  strange  beast,  old  man,"  said 
Paul,  who  had  pulled  the  bridle,  or  rather  halter  of 
his  steed  over  the  second  carcass,  while  the  rest  of 
the  party  were  already  passing  in  their  eagerness  to 
proceed  ;  "  a  strange  horse  do  I  call  it ;  it  had  neither 
head  nor  hoofs  !" 

"  The  fire  has  not  been  idle,"  returned  the  trap 
per,  keeping  his  eye  vigilantly  employed  in  profiting 
by  those  glimpses  of  the  horizon,  which  the  whirling 
smoke  offered  to  his  examination.  "  It  would  soon 
bake  you  a  buflfaloe  whole,  or  for  that  matter  powder 
his  hoofs  and  horns  into  white  ashes.  Shame,  shame, 
old  Hector ;  as  for  the  captain's  pup,  it  is  to  be  ex 
pected  that  he  would  show  his  want  of  years,  and  1 
may  say,  I  hope  without  offence,  his  want  of  educa 
tion  too  ;  but  for  a  hound,  like  you,  who  has  lived  so 
long  in  the  forest  afore  he  came  into  these  plains,  it 
is  very  disgraceful,  Hector,  to  be  showing  his  teeth 
and  growling  at  the  carcass  of  a  roasted  horse,  the 
same  as  if  he  was  telling  his  master,  that  he  had 
found  the  trail  of  a  grizzly  bear." 

"  I  tell  you,  old  trapper,  this  is  no  horse  ;  neither 
in  hoofs,  head  nor  hide." 

"  Anan  1  Not  a  horse?  your  eyes  are  good  for  the 
bees  and  for  the  hollow  trees,  my  lad,  but — bless  me, 
the  boy  is  right !  That  I  should  mistake  the  hide  of 
a  buffaloe,  scorched  and  crimpled  as  it  is,  for  the  car 
cass  of  a  horse  !  Ah's  me  !  The  time  has  been,  my 
men,  when  I  would  tell  you  the  name  of  a  beast  as 
far  as  eye  could  reach,  and  that  too  with  most  of  the 
particulars  of  colour,  age  and  sex." 

"  An  inestimable  advantage  have  you  then  enjoyed, 
venerable  venator !"  observed  the  attentive  natural 
ist.  "  The  man,  who  can  make  these  distinctions  in 
a  desert,  is  saved  the  pain  of  many  a  weary  walk, 
and  often  of  an  inquiry  that  in  its  result  proves  use- 


THE    PRAIRIE.  349 

less.  Pray  tell  me,  did  your  exceeding  excellence 
of  vision  extend  so  far  as  to  enable  you  to  decide  on 
their  order  or  genus /"' 

"  I  know  not  what  you  mean  by  your  orders  of 
genius." 

"  No  !"  interrupted  the  bee-hunter,  a  little  disdain 
fully  for  him,  when  speaking  to  his  aged  friend; 
4  now,  old  trapper,  that  is  admitting  your  ignorance 
of  the  English  language  in  a  way  I  should  not  expect 
from  a  man  of  your  experience  and  understanding. 
By  order,  our  comrade  means  whether  they  go  in 
promiscuous  droves,  like  a  swarm  that  is  following 
its  queen-bee,  or  in  single  file,  as  you  often  see  the 
buffaloes  trailing  each  other  through  a  prairie.  And 
as  for  genius,  I'm  sure  that  is  a  word  well  understood, 
and  in  every  body's  mouth.  There  is  the  congress 
man  in  our  district,  and  that  tonguey  little  fellow, 
who  puts  out  the  paper  in  our  county,  they  are  both 
so  called,  for  their  smartness ;  which  is  what  the 
Doctor  means  as  I  take  it,  seeing  that  he  seldom 
speaks  without  some  considerable  meaning." 

When  Paul  finished  this  very  clever  explanation 

he  looked  behind  him  with  an  expression,  which, 

rightly  interpreted,  would   have   said — "You   see, 

hough  I  don't  often  trouble  myself  in  these  matters, 

I  am  no  fool." 

Ellen  admired  Paul  for  any  thing  but  his  learning. 
There  was  enough  in  his  frank,  fearless,  and  manly 
character,  backed  as  it  was  by  great  personal  attrac 
tion,  to  awaken  her  sympathies,  without  the  necessity 
of  prying  into  his  mental  attainments.  The  poor  girl 
reddened  like  a  rose,  her  pretty  fingers  played  with 
the  belt,  by  which  she  sustained  herself  on  the  horse, 
and  she  hurriedly  observed,  as  if  anxious  to  direct 
the  attentions  of  the  other  listeners  from  a  weak 
ness,  on  which  her  own  thoughts  could  not  bear  to 
dwell— 

"  And  then  this  is  not  a  horse,  after  all  ?" 
2G 


350  THE    PRAIRIE. 

"  It  is  nothing  more  nor  less  than  the  hide  of  a 
buffaloe,"  continued  the  trapper,  who  had  been  no 
less  puzzled  by  the  explanation  of  Paul,  than  by  the 
language  of  the  Doctor ;  "  the  hair  is  beneath  ;  the 
fire  has  run  over  it  as  you  see,  for  being  fresh,  the 
flames  could  take  no  hold.  The  beast  has  not  been 
long  killed,  and  it  may  be  that  some  of  the  beef  is 
still  hereaway." 

"  Lift  the  corner  of  the  skin,  old  trapper,"  said 
Paul,  with  the  tone  of  one,  who  felt,  as  if  he  had 
now  proved  his  right  to  mingle  his  voice  in  any 
council ;  "  if  there  is  a  morsel  of  the  hump  left,  it 
must  be  well  cooked,  and  it  shall  be  welcome." 

The  old  man  laughed  heartily  at  the  conceit  of  his 
companion.  Thrusting  his  foot  beneath  the  skin,  it 
moved.  Then  it  was  suddenly  cast  aside,  and  an  In 
dian  warrior  sprang  from  its  cover,  to  his  feet,  with 
an  agility,  that  bespoke  how  urgent  he  deemed  the 
occasion. 


CHAPTEK  XXIV. 

••  I  would  it  were  bed-time,  Hal,  and  all  well." 

Shakspeare 

A  SECOND  glance  sufficed  to  convince  the  whole 
of  the  startled  party,  that  the  young  Pawnee,  whom 
they  had  already  encountered,  again  stood  before 
them.  Surprise  kept  both  sides  mute,  and  more  than 
a  minute  was  passed  in  surveying  each  other  with 
eyes  of  astonishment,  if  not  of  distrust.  The  won 
der  of  the  young  warrior  was,  however,  much  more 
tempered  and  dignified  than  that  of  his  Christian  ac 
quaintances.  While  Middleton  and  Paul  felt  the  tre 
mor,  which  shook  the  persons  of  their  dependant 
companions,  thrilling  through  their  own  quickened 


THE    PRAIRIE.  351 

blood,  the  glowing  eye  of  the  Indian  rolled  from  one 
to  another,  as  if  it  could  never  quail  before  the  rud 
est  assaults.  His  gaze,  after  making  the  circuit  of 
every  wondering  countenance,  finally  settled  in  a 
proud  and  steady  look  on  the  equally  immoveable 
features  of  the  trapper.  The  silence  was  first  broken 
by  Dr.  Battius,  in  the  ejaculation  of, — 

"  Order,  primates ;  genus,  homo ;  species,  prairie !" 

"  Ay — ay — the  secret  is  out,"  said  the  old  trapper, 
shaking  his  head,  like  one  who  congratulated  himself 
on  having  mastered  the  mystery  of  some  knotty  diffi 
culty.  "  The  lad  has  been  in  the  grass  for  a  cover ; 
the  fire  has  come  upon  him  in  his  sleep,  and  having 
lost  his  horse,  he  has  been  driven  to  save  himself  un 
der  that  fresh  hide  of  a  bufFaloe.  No  bad  invention, 
when  powder  and  flint  were  wanting  to  kindle  a  ring. 
I  warrant  me,  now,  this  is  a  clever  youth,  and  one 
that  it  would  be  safe  to  journey  with.  I  will  speak  to 
him  kindly,  for  anger  can  at  least  serve  no  turn  of 
ours.  My  brother  is  welcome  again,"  using  the  lan 
guage,  which  the  other  understood ;  "  the  Tetons  have 
been  smoking  him  as  they  would  a  raccoon." 

The  young  Pawnee  rolled  his  eye  over  the  place, 
as  if  he  were  examining  the  terrific  danger  from 
which  he  had  just  escaped,  but  he  disdained  to  betray 
the  smallest  emotion  at  its  imminency.  His  brow 
contracted,  as  he  answered  to  the  remark  of  the  trap 
per  by  saying — 

"  A  Teton  is  a  dog.  When  the  Pawnee  war  whoop 
is  in  their  ears,  the  whole  nation  howls." 

"  It  is  true.  The  imps  are  on  our  trail,  and  I  am 
glad  to  meet  a  warrior,  with  the  tomahawk  in  his 
hand,  who  does  not  love  them.  Will  my  brother  lead 
my  children  to  his  village  ?  If  the  Siouxes  follow 
on  our  path,  my  young  men  shall  help  him  to  strike 
them." 

The  young  Pawnee  warrior  turned  his  eyes  from 
one  to  another  of  the  strangers,  in  a  keen  scrutiny, 


352  THE    PRAIRIE. 

before  he  saw  fit  to  answer  so  important  an  interroga 
tory.  His  examination  of  the  males  was  short,  and 
apparently  satisfactory.  But  his  gaze  was  fastened 
long  and  admiringly,  as  in  their  former  interview,  on 
the  surpassing  and  unwonted  beauty  of  a  being  so 
fair  and  so  unknown  as  Inez.  Though  his  glance 
wandered  for  moments  from  her  countenance  to  the 
more  intelligible  and  yet  extraordinary  charms  of 
Ellen,  it  did  not  fail  to  return  promptly  to  the  study 
of  a  creature  who,  in  the  view  of  his  unpractised  eye 
and  untutored  imagination,  was  formed  with  all  that 
perfection,  with  which  the  youthful  poet  is  apt  to  en 
dow  the  glowing  images  of  his  heated  brain.  Nothing 
so  fair,  so  ideal,  so  every  way  worthy  to  reward  the 
courage  and  self-devotion  of  a  warrior,  had  ever  be 
fore  been  encountered  on  the  prairies,  and  the  young 
brave  appeared  to  be  deeply  and  intuitively  sensible 
to  the  influence  of  so  rare  a  model  of  the  loveliness 
of  the  sex.  Perceiving,  however,  that  his  gaze  gave 
uneasiness  to  the  subject  of  his  admiration,  he  with 
drew  his  eyes,  and  laying  his  hand  impressively  on 
his  chest,  he,  modestly,  answered — 

"  My  father  shall  be  welcome.  The  young  men 
of  my  nation  shall  hunt  with  his  sons ;  the  chiefs 
shall  smoke  with  the  gray-head.  The  Pawnee  girls 
will  sing  in  the  ears  of  his  daughters." 

"  And  if  we  meet  the  Tetons  ?"  demanded  the 
trapper,  who  wished  to  understand,  thoroughly,  the 
more  important  conditions  of  this  new  alliance. 

"  The  enemy  of  the  Big-knives  shall  feel  the  blow 
of  the  Pawnee." 

"  It  is  well.  Now  let  my  brother  and  I  meet  in 
council,  that  we  may  not  go  on  a  crooked  path,  but 
that  our  road  to  his  village  may  be  like  the  flight  of 
the  pigeons," 

The  young  Pawnee  made  a  significant  gesture  of 
assent,  and  followed  the  other  a  little  apart,  in  order 
to  be  removed  from  all  danger  of  interruption  from 


THE    PRAIRIE.  353 

the  reckless  Paul  or  the  abstracted  naturalist.  Then 
conference  was  short,  but  as  it  was  conducted  in  the 
sententious  manner  of  the  natives,  it  served  to  make 
each  of  the  parties  acquainted  with  all  the  necessary 
information  of  the  other.  When  they  rejoined  theii 
associates,  the  old  man  saw  fit  to  explain  a  portion 
of  what  had  passed  between  them,  as  follows — 

"  Ay,  I  was  not  mistaken,1'  he  said ;  "  this  good- 
looking  young  warrior — for  good-looking  and  noble- 
looking  he  is,  though  a  little  horrified  perhaps  with 
paint — this  good-looking  youth,  then,  tells  me  he  is 
out  on  the  scout  for  these  very  Tetons.  His  party 
was  not  strong  enough  to  strike  the  devils,  who  are 
down  from  their  towns  in  great  numbers  to  hunt  the 
bufFaloe,  and  runners  have  gone  to  the  Pawnee  vil 
lages  for  aid.  It  would  seem  that  this  lad  is  a  fear 
less  boy,  for  he  has  been  hanging  on  their  skirts  alone, 
until,  like  ourselves,  he  was  driven  to  the  grass  for  a 
cover.  But  he  tells  me  more,  my  men,  and  what  I 
am  mainly  sorry  to  hear,  which  is,  that  the  cunning 
Mahtoree  instead  of  going  to  blows  with  the  squatter, 
has  become  his  friend,  and  that  both  broods,  red  and 
white,  are  on  our  heels,  and  outlying  around  this  very 
burning  plain  to  circumvent  us  to  our  destruction." 

"  How  knows  he  all  this  to  be  true  ?"  demanded 
Middleton. 

"Anan?" 

"  In  what  manner  does  he  know,  that  these  things 
are  so  ?" 

"  In  what  manner !  Do  you  think  news-papers  and 
town  criers  are  needed  to  tell  a  scout  what  is  doing 
on  the  prairies,  as  they  are  in  the  bosom  of  the  States  ? 
No  gossipping  woman,  vrho  hurries  from  house  to 
house  to  spread  evil  of  her  neighbour,  can  carry 
tidings  with  her  tongue  so  fast  as  these  people  wil) 
spread  their  meaning  by  signs  and  warnings,  that  they 
alone  understand.  'Tis  their  Taming,  and  what  is 
better,  it  is  got  in  the  open  air,  and  not  within  the 
2  G2 


354  THE    PRAIRIE. 

walls  of  a  school.  I  tell  you,  captain,  that  what  he 
says  is  true." 

"  For  that  matter,"  said  Paul,  "  I'm  ready  to  swear 
to  it.  It  is  reasonable,  and  therefore  it  must  be  true." 

"  And  well  you  might,  lad  ;  well  you  might.  He 
furthermore  declares,  that  my  old  eyes  for  once  were 
true  to  me,  and  that  the  river  lies,  hereaway,  at  about 
the  distance  of  half  a  league.  You  see  the  fire  has 
done  most  of  its  work  in  that  quarter,  and  our  path 
is  clouded  in  smoke.  He  also  agrees  that  it  is  need 
ful  to  wash  our  trail  in  water.  Yes,  we  must  put 
that  river  atween  us  and  the  Sioux  eyes,  and  then, 
by  the  favour  of  the  Lord,  not  forgetting  our  own 
industry,  we  may  gain  the  village  of  the  Loups." 

"  Words  will  not  forward  us  a  foot,"  said  Middle- 
ton,  "  let  us  move." 

The  old  man  assented,  and  the  party  once  more 
prepared  to  renew  its  route.  The  Pawnee  threw  the 
skin  of  the  buffaloe  over  his  shoulder  and  led  the  ad 
vance,  casting  many  a  stolen  glance  behind  him  as  he 
proceeded,  in  order  to  fix  his  gaze  on  the  extraordi 
nary  and  to  him  unaccountable  loveliness  of  the  un 
conscious  Inez. 

An  hour  sufficed  to  bring  the  fugitives  to  the  banks 
of  the  stream,  which  was  one  of  the  hundred  nvers 
that  serve  to  conduct,  through  the  mighty  arteries  of 
the  Missouri  and  Mississippi,  the  waters  of  that  vast 
and  still  uninhabited  region  to  the  Ocean.  The  river 
was  not  deep,  but  its  current  was  troubled  and  rapid. 
The  flames  had  scorched  the  earth  to  its  very  mar 
gin,  and  as  the  warm  streams  of  the  fluid  mingled,  in 
the  cooler  air  of  the  morning,  with  the  smoke  of  the 
still  raging  conflagration,  most  of  its  surface  was 
wrapped  in  a  mantle  of  moving  vapour.  The  trap 
per  pointed  out  the  circumstance  with  pleasure,  say 
ing,  as  he  assisted  Inez  to  dismount  on  the  margin  of 
the  water-course — 

"  The  knaves  have  outwitted  themselves  !     I  am 


THE    PRAIRIE.  355 

for  from  certain  that  I  should  not  have  fired  the  prai 
rie,  to  have  got  the  benefit  of  this  very  smoke  to  hide 
our  movements,  had  not  the  heartless  imps  saved  us 
the  trouble.  I've  known  such  things  done  in  my  day, 
and  done  with  success.  Come,  lady,  put  your  tender 
foot  upon  the  ground — for  a  fearful  time  has  it  been 
to  one  of  your  breeding  and  skeary  qualities.  All's 
me !  what  have  I  not  known  the  young,  and  the  deli 
cate,  and  the  virtuous,  and  the  modest,  to  undergo, 
in  my  time,  among  the  horrifications  and  circumven 
tions  of  Indian  warfare  !  Come,  it  is  a  short  quarter 
of  a  mile  to  the  other  bank,  and  then  our  trail,  at 
least,  will  be  broken." 

Paul  had  by  this  time  assisted  Ellen  to  dismount, 
and  he  now  stood  looking,  with  rueful  eyes,  at  the 
naked  banks  of  the  river.  Neither  tree  nor  shrub 
grew  along  its  borders,  with  the  exception  of  here 
and  there  a  solitary  thicket  of  low  bushes,  from 
among  which  it  would  not  have  been  an  easy  matter 
to  have  found  a  dozen  stems  of  a  size  sufficient  to 
make  an  ordinary  walking-stick. 

"  Harkee,  old  trapper,"  the  moody-looking  bee- 
hunter  exclaimed ;  "it  is  very  well  to  talk  of  the 
other  side  of  this  ripple  of  a  river,  or  brook,  or  what 
ever  you  may  call  it,  but  in  my  judgment  it  would  be 
a  smart  rifle  that  would  throw  its  lead  across  it — that 
is  to  any  detriment  to  Indian  or  deer." 

"  That  it  would — that  it  would ;  though  I  carry  a 
piece,  here,  that  has  do'ne  its  work  in  time  of  need, 
at  as  great  a  distance." 

"  And  do  you  mean  to  shoot  Ellen  and  the  cap 
tain's  lady  across;  or  do  you  intend  them  to  go,  trout 
fashion,  with  their  mouths  under  water?" 

"  Is  this  river  too  deep  to  be  forded  ?"  asked  Mid- 
dleton,  who,  like  Paul,  began  to  consider  the  impos 
sibility  of  transporting  her,  whose  safety  he  valued 
more  than  his  own,  to  the  opposite  shore. 


356 


THE   PKAERIE. 


"When  the  mountains  above  feed  it  with  their 
torrents  it  is,  as  you  see,  a  swift  and  powerful  stream. 
Yet  have  I  crossed  its  sandy  bed,  in  my  time,  without 
wetting  a  knee.  But  we  have  the  Sioux  horses  ;  I  war 
rant  me,  that  the  kicking  imps  will  swim  like  so  many 
deer." 

"  Old  trapper,"  said  Paul,  thrusting  his  fingers  into 
his  mop  of  a  head,  as  was  usual  with  him,  when  any 
difficulty  confounded  his  philosophy,  "  I  have  swam 
like  a  fish  in  my  day,  and  I  can  do  it  again,  when 
there  is  need ;  nor  do  I  much  regard  the  weather ; 
but  I  question  if  you  get  Nelly  to  sit  a  horse,  with 
this  water  whirling  like  a  mill-race  before  her  eyes, 
besides,  it  is  manifest  the  thing  is  not  to  be  done  dry- 
shod." 

"  Ah,  the  lad  is  right.  We  must  to  our  inventions, 
therefore,  or  the  river  cannot  be  crossed."  Then 
cutting  the  discourse  short,  he  turned  to  the  Pawnee, 
and  explained  to  him  the  difficulty  which  existed  in 
relation  to  the  woman.  The  young  warrior  listened 
gravely,  and  throwing  the  buffalo-skin  from  his  shoulder 
he  immediately  commenced,  assisted  by  the  occasional 
aid  of  the  understanding  old  man,  the  preparations 
necessary  to  effect  this  desirable  object. 

The  hide  was  soon  drawn  into  the  shape  of  an 
umbrella  top,  or  an  inverted  parachute,  by  thongs  of 
deer-skin,  with  which  both  the  laborers  were  well 
provided.  A  few  light  sticks  served  to  keep  the  parts 
from  collapsing  or  falling  in.  When  this  simple  and 
natural  expedient  was  arranged,  it  was  placed  on  the 
water,  the  Indian  making  a  sign  that  it  was  ready  to 
receive  its  freight.  Both  Inez  and  Ellen  hesitated  to 
trust  themselves  in  a  bark  of  so  frail  a  construction, 
nor  would  Middleton  or  Paul  consent  that  they  should 
do  so,  until  each  had  assured  himself,  by  actual  ex 
periment,  that  the  vessel  was  capable  of  sustaining 
a  load  much  heavier  than  it  was  destined  to  receive, 


THE    PRAIRIE.  357 

Then,  indeed,  their  scruples  were  reluctantly  over 
come,  and  the  skin  was  made  to  receive  its  precious 
burthen. 

"  Now  leave  the  Pawnee  to  be  the  pilot,"  said  the  ¥     / 
trapper ;  "  my  hand  is  not  so  steady  as  it  used  to  be ;  I  y 
but  he  has  limbs  like  toughened  hickory.     Leave  all 
to  the  wisdom  of  the  Pawnee." 

The  husband  and  lover  could  not  well  do  other 
wise,  and  they  were  fain  to  become  deeply  interested, 
it  is  true,  but  passive  spectators  of  this  primitive  spe 
cies  of  ferrying.  The  Pawnee  selected  the  beast  of 
Mahtoree,  from  among  the  three  horses,  with  a  readi 
ness  that  proved  he  was  far  from  being  ignorant  of 
the  properties  of  that  noble  animal,  and  throwing 
himself  upon  its  back,  he  rode  into  the  margin  of  the 
river.  Thrusting  an  end  of  his  lance  into  the  hide, 
he  bore  the  light  vessel  up  against  the  stream,  and 
giving  his  steed  the  rein,  they  pushed  boldly  into  the 
current.  Middleton  and  Paul  followed,  pressing  as 
nigh  the  bark  as  prudence  would  at  all  warrant.  In 
this  manner  the  young  warrior  bore  his  precious  car 
go  to  the  opposite  bank  in  perfect  safety,  without  the 
slightest  inconvenience  to  the  passengers,  and  with  a 
steadiness  and  celerity  which  proved  that  both  horse 
and  rider  were  not  Unused  to  the  operation.  When 
the  shore  was  gained,  the  young  Indian  undid  his 
work,  threw  the  skin  over  his  shoulder,  placed  the 
sticks  under  his  arm,  and  returned,  without  speaking, 
to  transfer  the  remainder  of  the  party,  in  a  similar 
manner,  to  what  was  very  justly  considered  the  safer 
side  of  the  river. 

"  Now,  friend  Doctor,"  said  the  old  man,  when  he 
saw  the  Indian  plunging  into  the  river  a  second  time, 
"  do  I  know  there  is  faith  in  yonder  Red-skin.  He  is 
a  good-looking,  ay,  and  an  honest  looking  youth,  but 
the  winds  of  Heaven  are  not  more  deceitful  than 
these  savages,  when  the  devil  has  fairly  beset  them 
Had  the  Pawnee  been  a  Teton,  or  one  of  them  heart- 


358 


THE    PRAIRIE. 


less  Mingoes,  that  used  to  be  prowling  through  the 
woods  of  York,  a  time  back,  that  is  some  sixty  years 
agone,  we  should  have  seen  his  back  and  not  his  face 
turned  towards  us.  My  heart  had  its  misgivings 
when  I  saw  the  lad  choose  the  better  horse,  for  it 
would  be  as  easy  to  leave  us  with  that  beast,  as  it 
would  for  a  nimble  pigeon  to  part  company  from  a 
flock  of  noisy  and  heavy  winged  crows.  But  you  see 
that  truth  is  in  the  boy,  and  make  a  Red-skin  once 
your  friend,  he  is  yours  so  long  as  you  deal  honestly 
by  him." 

"  What  may  be  the  distance  to  the  sources  of  this 
stream  ?"  demanded  Doctor  Battius,  whose  eyes  were 
rolling  over  the  whirling  eddies  of  the  current  with  a 
very  portentous  expression  of  doubt.  "  At  what 
distance  may  its  secret  springs  be  found?" 

"  That  may  be  as  the  weather  proves.  I  warrant 
me  your  legs  would  be  a-weary  before  you  had  fol 
lowed  its  bed  into  the  Rocky  Mountains ;  but  then 
there  are  seasons  when  it  might  be  done  without 
wetting  a  foot." 

"  And  in  what  particular  divisions  of  the  year  do 
these  periodical  seasons  occur?" 

"  He  that  passes  this  spot  a  few  months  from  this 
time,  will  find  that  foaming  water-course  a  desert  of 
drifting  sand." 

The  naturalist  pondered  deeply.  Like  most  others, 
who  are  not  endowed  with  a  superfluity  of  physical 
fortitude,  the  worthy  man  had  found  the  danger  of 
passing  the  river,  in  so  simple  a  manner,  magnifying 
itself  in  his  eyes  so  rapidly,  as  the  moment  of  ad 
venture  approached,  that  he  actually  contemplated 
the  desperate  effort  of  going  round  the  river,  in  order 
to  escape  the  hazard  of  crossing  it.  It  may  not  be 
necessary  to  dwell  on  the  incredible  ingenuity,  with 
which  terror  will  at  any  time  prop  a  tottering  argu 
ment.  The  worthy  Obed  had  gone  over  the  whole 
subject,  with  commendable  diligence,  and  had  just  ar- 


THE    PRAIRIE.  359 

rived  at  the  consoling  conclusion,  that  there  was 
nearly  as  much  glory  in  discerning  the  hidden  sources 
of  so  considerable  a  stream,  as  in  adding  a  plant  or 
an  insect  to  the  lists  of  the  learned,  when  the  Pawnee 
reached  the  shore  for  the  second  time.  The  old  man 
took  his  seat,  with  the  utmost  deliberation,  in  the 
vessel  of  skin  (so  soon  as  it  had  been  duly  arranged 
for  his  reception,)  and  having  carefully  disposed  of 
Hector  between  his  legs,  he  beckoned  to  his  com 
panion  to  occupy  the  third  place,  *  

The  naturalist  placed  a  foot  in  the  frail  vessel,  as 
an  elephant  will  try  a  bridge,  or  a  horse  is  often  seen 
to  make  a  similar  experiment,  before  he  will  trust  the 
whole  of  his  corporeal  treasure  on  the  dreaded  flat, 
and  then  withdrew  just  as  the  old  man  believed  he 
was  about  to  seat  himself. 

"  Venerable  venator,"  he  said,  mournfully,  "  this 
is  a  most  unscientific  bark.  There  is  an  inward 
monitor  which  bids  me  distrust  its  security!" 

"  Anan?"  said  the  old  man,  who  was  pinching  the 
ears  of  the  hound,  as  a  father  would  play  with  the 
same  member  in  a  favourite  child. 

"  I  incline  not  to  this  irregular  mode  of  experi 
menting  on  fluids.  The  vessel  has  neither  form  nor 
proportions." 

"  It  is  not  as  handsomely  turned  as  I  have  seen  a 
canoe  in  birchen  bark,  but  comfort  may  be  taken  in 
a  wigwam  as  well  as  in  a  palace." 

"  It  is  impossible  that  any  vessel  constructed  on 
principles  so  repugnant  to  science  can  be  safe.  This 
tub,  venerable  hunter,  will  never  reach  the  opposite 
shore  in  safety." 

"  You  are  a  witness  of  what  it  has  done." 

"  Ay  ;  but  it  was  an  anomaly  in  prosperity.  If  ex 
ceptions  were  to  be  taken  as  rules,  in  the  government 
of  things,  the  human  race  would  speedily  be  plunged 
in  the  abysses  of  ignorance.  Venerable  trapper,  this 
expedient,  in  which  you  would  repose  your  safety,  is, 


36&  THE    PRAIRIE. 

in  the  annals  of  regular  inventions,  what  a  lusus  na 
turae  may  be  termed  in  the  lists  of  natural  history — 
a  monster !" 

How  much  longer  Doctor  Battius  might  have  fell 
disposed  to  prolong  the  discourse,  it  is  difficult  to  say, 
for  in  addition  to  the  powerful  personal  considera 
tions,  which  induced  him  to  procrastinate  an  experi 
ment,  which  was  certainly  not  without  its  dangers, 
the  pride  of  reason  was  beginning  to  sustain  him  in 
the  discussion.  But,  fortunately  for  the  credit  of  the 
old  man's  forbearance,  when  the  naturalist  reached 
the  word,  with  which  he  terminated  his  last  speech, 
a  sound  arose  in  the  air  that  seemed  a  sort  of  super 
natural  echo  to  the  idea  itself.  The  young  Pawnee, 
who  had  awaited  the  termination  of  the  incompre 
hensible  discussion,  with  grave  and  characteristic 
patience,  raised  his  head  and  listened  to  the  unknown 
cry,  like  a  stag,  whose  mysterious  faculties  had  de 
tected  the  footsteps  of  the  distant  hounds  in  the  gale. 
The  trapper  and  the  Doctor  were  not,  however,  en 
tirely  so  uninstructed  as  to  the  nature  of  the  extra 
ordinary  sounds.  The  latter  recognised  in  them  the 
well-known  voice  of  his  own  beast,  and  he  was  about 
to  rush  up  the  little  bank,  which  confined  the  cur 
rent,  with  all  the  longings  of  a  strong  affection,  when 
Asinus  himself  gallopped  into  view,  at  no  great  dis 
tance,  urged  to  the  'unnatural  gait  by  the  impatient 
and  brutal  Weucha,  who  bestrode  him. 

The  eyes  of  the  Teton,  and  those  of  the  fugitives 
met.  The  former  raised  a  long,  loud,  and  piercing 
yell,  in  which  the  notes  of  exultation  were  fearfully 
blended  with  those  of  warning.  The  signal  served 
for  a  finishing  blow  to  the  discussion  on  the  merits  of 
the  bark,  the  Doctor  stepping  as  promptly  to  the  side 
of  the  old  man,  as  though  a  mental  mist  had  been 
miraculously  removed  from  his  eyes.  In  another  in 
stant  the  steed  of  the  young  Pawnee  was  struggling 
powerfully  with  the  torrent. 


THE    PRAIRIE.  361 

The  utmost  strength  of  the  horse  was  needed  to 
urge  the  fugitives  beyond  the  flight  of  arrows  that 
came  sailing  through  the  air,  at  the  next  moment. 
The  cry  of  Weucha  had  brought  fifty  of  his  comrades 
to  the  shore,  but  fortunately  among  them  all  was  not 
one  of  a  rank  sufficient  to  entitle  him  to  the  privi 
lege  of  bearing  a  fusee.  One  half  the  stream,  how 
ever,  was  not  passed,  before  the  form  of  Mahtoree 
himself  was  seen  on  its  bank,  and  an  ineffectual  dis 
charge  of  fire-arms  announced  the  rage  and  disap 
pointment  of  the  chief.  More  than  once  the  trapper 
had  raised  his  rifle,  as  if  about  to  try  its  power  on 
his  enemies,  but  he  as  often  lowered  it,  without  firing. 
The  eyes  of  the  Pawnee  warrior  glared  like  those  of 
the  cougar  at  the  sight  of  so  many  of  the  hostile 
tribe,  and  he  answered  to  the  impotent  effort  of  their 
chief,  by  tossing  a  hand  into  the  air  in  contempt,  and 
raising  the  war-cry  of  his  nation.  The  challenge  was 
too  taunting  to  be  endured.  The  Tetons  dashed  in 
to  the  stream  in  a  body,  and  the  river  became  dotted 
with  the  dark  forms  of  beasts  and  riders. 

There  was  now  a  fearful  struggle  for  the  friendly 
bank.  As  the  Dahcotahs  advanced  with  beasts,  which 
had  not,  like  that  of  the  Pawnee,  expended  their 
strength  in  former  efforts,  and  as  they  now  moved  un- 
incumbered  by  any  thing  but  their  riders,  the  speed  of 
the  pursuers  greatly  outstripped  that  of  the  fugitives. 
The  trapper,  who  clearly  comprehended  the  whole 
danger  of  their  situation,  calmly  turned  his  eyes  from 
the  Tetous  to  his  young  Indian  associate,  in  order  to 
examine  whether  the  resolution  of  the  latter  began 
to  falter,  as  the  former  lessened  the  distance  between 
them.  Instead  of  betraying  fear,  however,  or  any  of 
that  concern  which  might  so  readily  have  been  ex 
cited  by  the  peculiarity  of  his  risk,  the  brow  of  the 
young  warrior  contracted  to  a  look  which  indicated 
high  and  deadly  hostility. 

"Do  you  greatly  value  life,  friend   Doctor?"  de- 
2H 


362  THE    PRAIRIE. 

manded  the  old  man,  with  a  sort  of  philosophical 
calmness,  which  made  the  question  doubly  appalling 
to  his  companion. 

"  Not  for  itself,"  returned  the  naturalist,  sipping 
some  of  the  water  of  the  river  from  the  hollow  of 
his  hand,  in  order  to  clear  his  husky  throat.  "  Not 
for  itself,  but  exceedingly,  inasmuch  as  natural  his 
tory  has  so  deep  a  stake  in  my  existence.  There 
fore—" 

"  Ay  !"  resumed  the  other,  who  mused  too  deeply 
to  dissect  the  ideas  of  the  Doctor  with  his  usual  sa 
gacity,  "  'Tis  in  truth  the  history  of  natur',  and  a  base 
and  craven  feeling  it  is  !  Now  is  life  as  precious  to 
this  young  Pawnee,  as  to  any  governor  in  the  States, 
and  he  might  save  it,  or  at  least  stand  some  chance 
of  saving  it,  by  letting  us  go  down  the  stream  ;  and 
yet  you  see  he  keeps  his  faith  manfully,  and  like  an 
Indian  warrior.  For  myself,  I  am  old,  and  willing 
to  take  the  fortune  that  the  Lord  may  see  fit  to  give, 
nor  do  I  conceit  that  you  are  of  much  benefit  to  man 
kind  ;  and  it  is  a  crying  shame,  if  not  a  sin,  that  so 
fine  a  youth  as  this  should  lose  his  scalp  for  two  be 
ings  so  worthless  as  ourselves.  I  am  therefore  dis 
posed,  provided  that  it  shall  prove  agreeable  to  you, 
to  tell  the  lad  to  make  the  best  of  his  way,  and  to 
leave  us  to  the  mercy  of  the  Tetons." 

"  I  repel  the  proposition,  as  repugnant  to  nature 
and  as  treason  to  science !"  exclaimed  the  alarmed 
naturalist.  "  Our  progress  is  miraculous,  and  as  this 
admirable  invention  moves  with  so  wonderful  a  facil 
ity,  a  few  more  minutes  will  serve  to  bring  us  to  land." 

The  old  man  regarded  him  intently  for  an  instant, 
and  shaking  his  head  he  said — 

"  Lord  what  a  thing  is  fear!  it  transforms  the  crea- 
tur's  of  the  world  and  the  craft  of  man,  making  that 
which  is  ugly,  seemly  in  our  eyes,  and  that  which 
is  beautiful,  unsightly  !  Lord,  Lord  what  a  thing  is 
fear !" 


THE    PRAIRIE.  363 

A  termination  was,  however,  put  to  the  discussion, 
by  the  increasing  interest  of  the  chase.  The  horses 
of  the  Dahcotahs  had,  by  this  time,  gained  the  mid 
dle  of  the  current,  and  their  riders  were  already  fill 
ing  the  air  with  yells  of  triumph.  At  this  moment 
Middleton  and  Paul,  who  had  led  the  females  to  a 
little  thicket,  appeared  again  on  the  margin  of  the 
stream,  menacing  their  enemies  with  the  rifle. 

"  Mount,  mount,"  shouted  the  trapper,  the  instant 
he  beheld  them  ;  "  mount  and  fly,  if  you  value  those 
who  lean  on  you  for  help.  Mount,  and  leave  us  in 
the  hands  of  the  Lord." 

"Stoop  your  head,  old  trapper,"  returned  the 
voice  of  Paul,  "  down  with  ye  both  into  your  nest. 
The  Teton  devil  is  in  your  line ;  down  with  your 
heads  and  make  way  for  a  Kentucky  bullet." 

The  old  man  turned  his  head,  and  saw  that  the 
eager  Mahtoree,  who  preceded  his  party  some  dis 
tance,  had  brought  himself  nearly  in  a  line  with  the 
bark  and  the  bee-hunter,  who  stood  perfectly  ready 
to  execute  his  hostile  threat.  Bending  his  body  low, 
the  rifle  was  discharged,  and  the  swift  lead  whizzed 
harmlessly  past  him  on  its  more  distant  errand.  But 
the  eye  of  the  Teton  chief  was  not  less  quick  and 
certain  than  that  of  his  enemy.  He  threw  himself 
from  his  horse  the  moment  preceding  the  report,  and 
sunk  into  the  water.  The  beast  snorted  with  terror 
and  anguish,  throwing  half  his  form  out  of  the  river 
in  a  desperate  plunge.  Then  he  was  seen  drifting 
away  in  the  torrent,  and  dying  the  turbid  waters 
deeply  with  his  blood. 

The  Teton  chief  soon  re-appeared  on  the  surface, 
and  understanding  the  nature  of  his  loss,  he  swam 
with  vigorous  •  strokes  to  the  nearest  of  the  young 
men,  who  relinquished  his  steed,  as  a  matter  of 
course,  to  so  renowned  a  warrior.  The  incident, 
however,  created  a  confusion  in  the  whole  of  the 
Dahcotah  band,  who  appeared  to  await  the  intention 


364  THE    PRAIRIE. 

of  their  leader,  before  they  renewed  their  efforts  to 
reach  the  shore.  In  the  mean  time  the  vessel  of  skin 
had  reached  the  land,  and  the  fugitives  weie  once 
more  united  on  the  margin  of  the  river. 

The  savages  were  now  swimming  about  in  indeci 
sion,  as  a  flock  of  pigeons  is  often  seen  to  hover  in 
confusion  after  receiving  a  heavy  discharge  into  its 
leading  column,  apparently  hesitating  on  the  risk  of 
storming  a  bank  so  formidably  defended.  The  well- 
known  precaution  of  Indian  warfare  prevailed,  and 
Mahtoree,  admonished  by  his  recent  adventure,  led 
his  warriors  back  to  the  shore  from  which  they  had 
come,  in  order  to  relieve  their  beasts,  which  were 
already  becoming  unruly. 

"  Now  mount  you,  with  the  tender  ones,  and  ride 
for  yonder  hillock,"  said  the  trapper ;  "  beyond  it, 
you  will  find  another  stream,  into  which  you  must 
enter,  and  turning  to  the  sun,  follow  its  bed  for  a 
mile,  until  you  reach  a  high  and  sandy  plain ;  there 
will  I  meet  you.  Go ;  mount ;  this  Pawnee  youth 
and  I,  and  my  stout  friend  the  physician,  who  is  a 
desperate  warrior,  are  men  enough  to  keep  the  bank, 
seeing  that  show  and  not  use  is  all  that  is  needed." 

Middleton  and  Paul  saw  no  use  in  wasting  their 
reath  in  remonstrances  against  this  proposal.  Glad 
to  know  that  their  rear  was  to  be  covered,  even  in 
this  imperfect  manner,  they  hastily  got  their  horses 
in  motion,  and  soon  disappeared  on  the  required 
route.  Some  twenty  or  thirty  minutes  succeeded 
this  movement,  before  the  Tetons  on  the  opposite 
shore  seemed  inclined  to  enter  on  any  new  enter 
prise.  Mahtoree  was  distinctly  visible,  in  the  midst 
of  his  warriors,  issuing  his  mandates  and  betraying  his 
desire  for  vengeance,  by  occasionally  shaking  an  arm 
in  the  direction  of  the  fugitives ;  but  no  step  was 
taken,  which  appeared  to  threaten  any  further  act  of 
immediate  hostility.  At  length  a  yell  arose  among 
the  savages,  which  announced  the  occurrence  of 


THE    PRAIRIE.  365 

some  fresh  event.  Then  Ishmael  and  his  sluggish 
sons  were  seen  in  the  distance,  and  soon  the  whole 
of  the  united  force  moved  down  to  the  very  limits  of 
the  stream.  The  squatter  proceeded  to  examine  the 
position  of  his  enemies  with  his  usual  coolness,  and, 
as  if  to  try  the  power  of  his  rifle,  he  sent  a  bullet 
among  them,  with  a  force  sufficient  to  do  execution, 
even  at  the  distance  at  which  he  stood. 

"  Now  let  us  depart!"  exclaimed  Obed,  endeavour 
ing  to  catch  a  furtive  glimpse  of  the  lead,  which  he 
fancied  was  whizzing  at  his  very  ear;  "we  have 
maintained  the  bank  in  a  gallant  manner,  for  a  suf 
ficient  length  of  time ;  quite  as  much  military  skill  is 
to  be  displayed  in  a  retreat,  as  in  an  advance." 

The  old  man  cast  a  look  behind  him,  and  seeing 
that  the  equestrians  had  reached  the  cover  of  the 
hill,  he  made  no  objections  to  the  proposal.  The  re 
maining  horse  was  given  to  the  Doctor,  with  instruc 
tions  to  pursue  the  course  just  taken  by  Middleton 
and  Paul.  When  the  naturalist  was  mounted  and  in 
full  retreat,  the  trapper  and  the  young  Pawnee  stole 
from  the  spot  in  such  a  manner  as  to  leave  their  ene 
mies  some  time  in  doubt  as  to  their  movements.  In 
stead,  however,  of  proceeding  across  the  plain  towards 
the  hill,  a  route  on  which  they  must  have  been  in 
open  view,  they  took  a  shorter  path,  covered  by  the 
formation  of  the  ground,  and  intersected  the  little 
water-course  at  the  point  where  Middleton  had  been 
directed  to  leave  it,  and  just  in  season  to  join  his 
party.  The  Doctor  had  used  so  much  diligence  in 
the  retreat,  as  to  have  already  overtaken  his  friends, 
and  of  course  the  fugitives  were  all  again  assembled. 

The  trapper  now  looked  about  him  for  some  con 
venient  spot,  where  the  whole  party  might  halt,  as  he 
expressed  it,  for  some  five  or  six  hours. 

"  Halt !"  exclaimed  the  Doctor,  when  the  alarm 
ing  proposal  reached  his  ears ;  "  venerable  hunter, 
2H2 


366  THE    PRAIRIE. 

it  would  seem,  that  on  the  contrary,  many  days  should 
be  passed  in  industrious  flight." 

Middleton  and  Paul  were  both  of  this  opinion,  and 
each  in  his  particular  manner  expressed  as  much. 

The  old  man  heard  them  with  patience,  but  shook 
his  head  like  one  who  was  unconvinced,  and  then 
answered  all  their  arguments,  in  one  general  and 
positive  reply. 

"  Why  should  we  fly?"  he  asked.  "  Can  the  legs 
of  mortal  men  outstrip  the  speed  of  horses  ?  Do  you 
think  the  Tetons  will  lie  down  and  sleep ;  or  will 
they  cross  the  water  and  nose  for  our  trail?  Thanks 
be  to  the  Lord,  we  have  washed  it  well  in  this  stream, 
and  if  we  leave  the  place  with  discretion  and  wisdom, 
we  may  yet  throw  them  off  its  track.  But  a  prairie 
is  not  a  wood.  There  a  man  may  journey  long,  car 
ing  for  nothing  but  the  prints  his  moccasin  leaves, 
whereas,  in  these  open  plains  a  runner,  placed  on 
yonder  hill,  for  instance,  could  see  far  on  every  side 
of  him,  like  a  hovering  hawk  looking  down  on  his 
prey.  No,  no ;  night  must  come,  and  darkness  be 
upon  us,  afore  we  leave  this  spot.  But  listen  to  the 
words  of  the  Pawnee ;  he  is  a  lad  of  spirit,  and  1 
warrant  me  many  is  the  hard  race  that  he  has  run 
with  the  Sioux  bands.  Does  my  brother  think  our 
trail  is  long  enough?"  he  then  demanded  in  the 
Indian  tongue. 

"  Is  a  Teton  a  fish,  that  he  can  see  it  in  the  river  ?" 

"  But  my  young  men  think  we  should  stretch  it, 
until  it  reaches  across  the  prairie." 

"  Mahtoree  has  eyes  ;  he  will  see  it." 

"  What  does  my  brother  counsel  ?" 

The  young  warrior  studied  the  heavens  a  moment, 
and  appeared  to  hesitate.  He  mused  some  time  with 
himself,  and  then  he  replied,  like  one  whose  opinion 
was  irrevocably  fixed. 

"The  Dahcotahs  are  not  asleep,"  be  said;  "we 
must  lie  in  the  grass." 


THE    PRAIRIE.  ,  367 

"  Ah !  the  lad  is  of  my  mind,"  said  the  old  man, 
briefly  explaining  the  opinion  of  his  companion  to 
his  white  friends,  Middleton  was  obliged  to  acquiesce, 
and  as  it  was  confessedly  dangerous  to  remain  upon 
their  feet,  each  one  set  about  assisting  in  the  means 
to  be  adopted  for  their  security.  Inez  and  Ellen 
were  quickly  bestowed  beneath  the  warm  and  not 
uncomfortable  shelter  of  the  buffaloe  skins,  which 
formed  a  thick  covering,  and  tall  grass  was  drawn 
over  the  place,  in  such  a  manner  as  to  evade  any 
examination  from  a  common  eye.  Paul  and  the 
Pawnee  fettered  the  beasts  and  cast  them  to  the 
earth,  where,  after  supplying  them  with  food,  they 
were  also  left  concealed  in  the  fog  of  the  prairie. 
No  time  was  lost  when  these  several  arrangements 
were  completed,  before  each  of  the  others  sought  a 
place  of  rest  and  concealment,  and  then  the  plain 
appeared  again  deserted  to  its  solitude. 

The  old  man  had  advised  his  companions  of  the  ab 
solute  necessity  of  their  continuing  for  hours  in  this 
concealment  All  their  hopes  of  escape  depended 
on  the  success  of  the  artifice.  If  they  might  elude 
the  cunning  of  their  pursuers,  by  this  simple  and 
therefore  less  suspected  expedient,  they  could  renew 
their  flight  as  the  evening  approached,  and,  by  chang 
ing  their  course,  the  chance  of  final  success  would  be 
greatly  increased.  Influenced  by  these  momentous 
considerations  the  whole  party  lay,  musing  on  their 
situation,  until  thoughts  grew  weary,  and  sleep  finally 
settled  on  them  all,  one  after  another. 

The  deepest  silence  had  prevailed  for  hours  when 
the  quick  ears  of  the  trapper  and  the  Pawnee  were 
startled  by  a  faint  cry  of  surprise  from  Inez.  Spring 
ing  to  their  feet,  like  men,  who  were  about  to  struggle 
for  their  lives,  they  found  the  vast  plain, .the  rolling 
swells,  the  little  hillock,  and  the  scattered  thickets, 
covered  alike  in  one,  white,  dazzling  sheet  of  snow. 

"  The  Lord  have  mercy  on  ye  all !"  exclaimed  the 


368  THE    PRAIRIE. 

old  man,  regarding  the  prospect  with  a  rueful  eye ; 
'  now  Pawnee  do  I  know  the  reason  why  you  studied 
the  clouds  so  closely ;  but  it  is  too  late ;  it  is  now  too 
late !  A  squirrel  would  leave  his  trail  on  this  light 
coating  of  the  *arth.  Ha  I  there  come  the  imps  to  a 
certainty.  Down  with  ye  all,  down  with  ye;  you? 
chance  is  but  small,  and  yet  it  must  not  be  wilfully 
cast  away." 

The  whole  party  was  instantly  concealed,  again, 
though  many  an  anxious  and  stolen  glance  was  di 
rected  through  the  tops  of  the  grass,  on  the  move 
ments  of  their  enemies.  At  the  distance  of  half  a 
mile,  the  Teton  band  was  seen  rkling  in  a  eireuitr 
which  was  gradually  contracting  itself,  and  evidently 
closing  upon  the  very  spot  where  the  fugitives  lay. 
There  was  but  little  difficulty  in  solving  the  mystery 
of  this  movement.  The  snow  had  fallen  in  time  to> 
assure  them  that  those  they  sought  were  in  their  rear., 
and  they  were  now  employed,  with  the  unwearied 
perseverance  a-nd  patience  of  Indian  warriors,  in 
circling  the  certain  boundaries  of  their  place  of  con 
cealment. 

Each  minute  added  to  the  jeopardy  of  the  fugitives 
Paul  and  Middleton  deliberately  prepared  their  rifles, 
and  as  the  earnestly  occupied  Mahtoree  came,  ail 
length,  within  fifty  feet  of  them*  keeping  Ms  eyes 
riveted  on  the  grass  through  which  he  rode,  they  lev 
elled  them  together  and  pulled  the  triggers.  The 
effort  was  answered  by  the  mere  snapping  of  the 
locks. 

"  Enough,"  said  the  old  man  rising  with  dignity , 
'•'I  have  cast  away  the  priming;  ibr  certain  death 
would  follow  your  rashness.  Now  let  us  meet  our 
fates  like  men.  Cringing  and  complaining  find  no 
favour  in  Indian  eyes." 

His  appearance  was  greeted  by  a  yell,  that  spread 
far  and  wide  over  the  plain,  and  in  a  moment  a  hun 
dred  savages  were  seen  riding  madly  to  the  spot. 


THE  PRAIRIE.  369 

Mahtoree  received  his  prisoners  with  great  self-re 
straint,  though  a  single  gleam  of  fierce  joy  broke 
through  his  clouded  brow,  and  the  heart  of  Middle- 
ton  grew  cold  as  he  caught  the  expression  of  that  eye, 
which  the  chief  turned  on  the  nearly  insensible  but 
still  lovely  Inez. 

The  exultation  of  receiving  the  white  captives  was 
so  great,  as  for  a  time  to  throw  the  dark  and  immove- 
able  form  of  their  young  Indian  companion  entirely 
out  of  view.  He  stood  apart,  disdaining  to  turn  an 
eye  on  his  enemies,  as  motionless  as  though  he  were 
frozen  in  that  attitude  of  dignity  and  composure. 
But  when  a  little  time  had  passed,  even  this  second 
ary  object  attracted  the  attention  of  the  Tetons. 
Then  it  was  that  the  trapper  first  learned,  by  the 
shout  of  triumph  and  the  long  drawn  yell  of  delight, 
which  burst  at  once  from  a  hundred  throats,  as  well 
as  by  the  terrible  name,  which  filled  the  air,  that  his 
youthful  friend  was  no  other  than  that  redoubtable 
and  hitherto  invincible  warrior,  the  miehtv  Hard- 
Heart. 


CHAPTER  XXY. 

"  What,  are  ancient  pistol  and 
You  friends,  yet?" 

Shakspeare. 

THE  curtain  of  our  imperfect  drama  must  fall,  to 
rise  upon  another  scene.  The  time  is  advanced 
several  days,  during  which  very  material  changes  had 
occurred  in  the  situation  of  the  actors.  The  hour  is 
noon,  and  the  place  an  elevated  plain,  that  rose,  at 
no  great  distance  from  the  water,  somewhat  abruptly 
from  the  fertile  bottom  which  stretched  along  the 


370  THE    PRAIRIE. 

margin  of  one  of  the  numberless  water-courses  of 
that  region,  The  river  took  its  rise  near  the  base  of 
the  Rocky  Mountains,  and,  after  washing  a  vast  ex 
tent  of  plain,  it  mingled  its  waters  with  a  still  larger 
stream,  to  become  finally  lost  in  the  turbid  curren- 
of  the  Missouri. 

The  landscape  was  changed  materially  for  the  bet 
ter  ;  though  the  hand,  which  had  impressed  so  much 
of  the  desert  on  the  surrounding  region,  had  laid  a 
portion  of  its  power  on  this  spot.  The  appearance 
of  vegetation  was,  however,  less  discouraging  than 
in  the  more  sterile  wastes  of  the  rolling  prairies. 
Clusters  of  trees  were  scattered  in  greater  profusion, 
and  a  long  outline  of  ragged  forest  marked  the  nor 
thern  boundary  of  the  view.  Here  and  there,  on  the 
bottom,  were  to  be  seen  the  evidences  of  a  hasty  and 
imperfect  culture  of  such  indigenous  vegetables  as 
were  of  a  quick  growth,  and  which  were  known  to 
flourish,  without  the  aid  of  art,  in  deep  and  alluvial 
soils.  On  the  very  edge  of  what  might  be  called  the 
table-land,  were  pitched  the  hundred  lodges  of  a 
horde  of  wandering  Siouxes.  Their  light  tenements 
were  arranged  without  the  least  attention  to  order. 
Proximity  to  the  water  seemed  to  be  the  only  con 
sideration  which  had  been  consulted  in  their  disposi 
tion,  nor  had  even  this  important  convenience  been 
always  regarded.  While  most  of  the  lodges  stood 
along  the  brow  of  the  plain,  many  were  to  be  seen 
at  greater  distances,  occupying  such  places  as  had 
first  pleased  the  capricious  eyes  of  their  untutored 
owners.  The  encampment  was  not  military,  nor  in 
the  slightest  degree  protected  from  surprise  by  its 
position  or  defences.  It  was  open  on  every  side,  and 
on  every  side  as  accessible  as  any  other  point  in  those 
wastes,  if  the  imperfect  and  natural  obstruction  of 
fered  by  the  river,  be  excepted.  In  short,  the  place 
bore  the  appearance  of  having  been  tenanted  longer 


THE    PRAIRIE.  371 

than  its  occupants  had  originally  intended,  while  it 
was  not  wanting  in  the  signs  of  readiness  for  a  hasty, 
or  even  a  compelled  departure. 

This  was  the  temporary  encampment  of  that  por 
tion  of  his  people,  who  had  long  been  hunting  under 
the  direction  of  Mahtoree,  on  those  grounds  which 
separated  the  stationary  abodes  of  his  nation,  from 
those  of  the  warlike  tribes  of  the  Pawnees,  The 
lodges  were  tents  of  skin,  high,  conical,  and  of  the 
most  simple  and  primitive  construction.  The  shield, 
the  quiver,  the  lance  and  the  bow  of  its  master,  were 
to  be  seen  suspended  from  a  light  post  before  the  open 
ing,  or  door  of  each  tenement.  The  different  domestic 
implements  of  his  one,  two,  or  three  wives,  as  the 
brave  was  of  greater  or  lesser  renown,  were  carelessly 
thrown  at  its  side,  and  here  and  there  the  round,  full, 
patient  countenance  of  an  infant  might  be  found 
peeping  from  its  comfortless  wrappers  of  bark,  as, 
suspended  by  a  deer-skin  thong  from  the  same  post, 
it  rocked  in  the  passing  air.  Children  of  a  larger 
growth  were  tumbling  over  each  other  in  piles,  the 
males,  even  at  that  early  age,  making  themselves 
distinguished  for  that  species  of  domination  which, 
in  after  life,  was  to  mark  the  vast  distinction  between 
the  sexes.  Youths  were  in  the  bottom,  essaying  their 
juvenile  powers  in  curbing  the  wild  steeds  of  their 
fathers,  while  here  and  there  a  truant  girl  was  to  be 
seen,  stealing  from  her  labours  to  admire  their  fierce 
and  impatient  daring. 

Thus  far  the  picture  was  the  daily  exhibition  of 
an  encampment  confident  in  its  security.  But  im 
mediately  in  front  of  the  lodges  was  a  gathering,  that 
seemed  to  forbode  some  movements  of  much  more 
than  usual  interest.  A  few  of  the  withered  and  re 
morseless  crones  of  the  band  were  clustering  to 
gether,  in  readiness  to  lend  their  fell  voices,  if 
needed,  to  aid  in  exciting  their  descendants  to  an  ex 
hibition,  which  their  depraved  tastes  coveted,  as  be- 


372  THE   PRAIRIE, 

ings  of  more  humanized  temperaments  are  known  to 
love  to  look  upon  the  interest  of  scarcely  less  appalling 
spectacles.  The  men  were  subdivided  into  groups,  as 
sorted  according  to  the  deeds  and  reputations  of  the 
everal  individuals  of  whom  they  were  composed. 

They  who  were  of  that  equivocal  age  which  admit 
ted  them  to  the  hunts,  while  their  discretion  was  still 
too  doubtful  to  permit  them  to  be  trusted  on  the  war 
path,  hung  around  the  skirts  of  the  whole,  catching 
from  the  fierce  models  before  them,  that  gravity  of  de>- 
meanour  and  restraint  of  manner,  which  in  time  was  to 
become  so  deeply  ingrafted  in  their  own  characters.  A 
few  of  a  still  older  class,  and  who  had  heard  the  whoop 
in  anger,  were  a  little  more  presuming,  pressing  nigher 
to  the  chiefs,  though  far  from  presuming  to  mingle 
in  their  councils,  sufficiently  distinguished  by  being 
permitted  to  catch  the  wisdom  which  fell  from  lips 
so  venerated.  The  ordinary  warriors  of  the  band 
were  still  less  diffident,  not  hesitating  to  mingle 
among  the  chiefs  of  lesser  note,  though  far  from  as 
suming  the  right  to  dispute  the  sentiments  of  any 
established  brave,  or  to  call  in  question  the  prudence 
of  measures  that  were  recommended  by  the  more 
gifted  counsellors  of  the  nation. 

Among  the  chiefs  themselves  there  was  a  singular 
compound  of  exterior.  They  were  to  be  divided 
into  two  classes;  those  who  were  maialy  indebted 
for  their  influence  to  physical  causes  and  to  deeds  in 
arms,  and  those  who  had  become  distinguished  rather 
for  their  wisdom  than  for  their  services  in  the  field. 
The  former  was  by  far  the  most  numerous  and  the 
most  important  class.  They  were  men  of  stature 
and  mien,  whose  stern  countenances  were  often  ren 
dered  doubly  imposing  by  those  evidences  of  their 
valour,  which  had  been  roughly  traced  on  their 
lineaments  by  the  hands  of  their  enemies  in  the 
iiape  of  deep  and  indelible  scars.  That  class,  which 


THE    PRAIRIE.  373 

had  gained  its  influence  by  a  moral  ascendency  was 
extremely  limited.  They  were  uniformly  to  be  dis 
tinguished  by  the  quick  and  lively  expression  of  their 
eyes,  by  the  air  pi  distrust  that  marked  their  move 
ments,  and  occasionally  by  the  vehemence  of  their 
utterance  in  those  sudden  outbreakings  of  the  mind, 
by  which  their  present  consultations  were,  from  time 
to  time,  distinguished. 

In  the  very  centre  of  a  ring,  formed  by  these  cho 
sen  counsellors,  was  to  be  seen  the  person  of  the  dis 
quieted  but  seemingly  calm  Mahtoree.  There  was 
a  conjunction  of  all  the  several  qualities  of  the  others 
in  his  person  and  character.  Mind  as  well  as  matter 
had  contributed  to  establish  his  authority.  His  scars 
were  as  numerous  and  deep  as  those  of  the  whitest 
head  in  his  nation ;  his  limbs  were  in  their  greatest 
vigour,  his  courage  at  its  fullest  height.  Endowed 
with  this  rare  combination  of  moral  and  physical  in 
fluence,  the  keenest  eye  in  all  that  assembly  was 
wont  to  lower  before  his  threatening  glance.  Cour 
age  and  cunning  had  established  his  ascendency,  and 
it  had  been  rendered,  in  some  degree,  sacred  by  time 
He  knew  so  well  how  to  unite  the  powers  of  reason 
and  force,  that  in  a  state  of  society,  which  admitted 
of  a  greater  display  of  his  energies,  the  Teton  would 
in  all  probability  have  been  both  a  conqueror  and  a 
despot. 

A  little  apart  from  the  gathering  of  the  band,  was  V 
to  be  seen  a  set  of  beings  of  an  entirely  different 
origin.  Taller  and  far  more  muscular  in  their  per 
sons,  the  lingering  vestiges  of  their  Saxon  and  Nor 
man  ancestry  were  yet  to  be  found  beneath  the 
swarthy  complexions,  which  had  been  bestowed  by 
an  American  sun.  It  would  have  been  a  curious 
investigation,  for  one  skilled  in  such  an  inquiry,  to 
have  traced  those  points  of  difference,  by  which  the 
offspring  of  the  most  western  European  was  still  t< 
2  I 


374  THE    PRAIRIE. 

be  distinguished  from  the  descendant  of  the  most  re 
mote  Asiatic,  now  that  the  two,  in  the  revolutions  of 
n  the  world,  were  approximating  in  their  habits,  their 
/  residence,  and  not  a  little  in  their  characters.  The 
f  groupe,  of  whom  we  write,  was  composed  of  the 
V,  family  of  the  squatter.  They  stood  indolent,  loung 
ing  and  inert,  as  usual,  when  no  immediate  demand 
was  made  on  their  dormant  energies,  clustered  in 
front  of  some  four  or  five  habitations  of  skin,  for 
which  they  were  indebted  to  the  hospitality  of  their 
Teton  allies.  The  terms  of  their  unexpected  con 
federation  were  sufficiently  explained,  by  the  pres 
ence  of  the  horses  and  domestic  cattle  that  were 
quietly  grazing  on  the  bottom  beneath,  under  the 
jealous  eyes  of  the  spirited  Hetty.  Their  wagons 
were  drawn  about  the  lodges,  in  a  sort  of  irregular 
barrier,  which  at  once  manifested  that  their  confi 
dence  was  not  entirely  restored,  while,  on  the  other 
hand,  their  policy  or  indolence  prevented  any  very 
positive  exhibition  of  distrust.  There  was  a  singu 
lar  union  of  passive  enjoyment  and  of  dull  curiosity 
slumbering  in  every  dull  countenance,  as  each  of  the 
party  stood  leaning  on  his  rifle,  regarding  the  move 
ments  of  the  Sioux  conference.  Still  no  sign  of  ex 
pectation  or  interest  escaped  from  the  youngest 
among  them,  the  whole  appearing  to  emulate  the 
most  phlegmatic  of  their  savage  allies,  in  an  exhibi 
tion  of  the  commendable  quality  of  patience.  They 
rarely  spoke  ;  and  when  they  did  it  was  in  some  short 
and  contemptuous  remark,  which  served  to  put  the 
physical  superiority  of  a  white  man  and  that  of  an 
Indian  in  a  sufficiently  striking  point  of  view.  In 
short,  the  family  of  Ishmael  appeared  now  to  be  in 
the  plenitude  of  an  enjoyment,  which  depended  on 
inactivity,  but  which  was  not  entirely  free  from  cer 
tain  confused  gl  mmerings  of  a  perspective,  in  which 
their  security  stood  in  some  little  danger  of  a  rude 


THE    PRAIRIE.  375 

interruption  from  Teton  treachery.  Abiram,  alone, 
formed  a  solitary  exception  to  this  state  of  equivocal 
repose. 

After  a  life  passed  in  the  commission  of  a  thou 
sand  mean  and  insignificant  villanies,  the  mind  of  the 
kidnapper  had  become  hardy  enough  to  attempt  the 
desperate  adventure,  which  has  been  laid  before  the 
reader,  in  the  course  of  our  narrative.  His  influence 
over  the  bolder,  but  less  active,  spirit  of  Ishmael  was 
far  from  great,  and  had  not  the  latter  been  suddenly 
expelled  a  fertile  bottom,  of  which  he  had  taken  pos 
session,  with  intent  to  keep  it,  without  much  defer 
ence  to  the  forms  of  law,  he  would  never  have  suc 
ceeded  in  enlisting  the  husband  of  his  sister  in  an  en 
terprise  that  required  so  much  decision  and  fore 
thought.  Their  original  success  and  subsequent  dis 
appointment  have  been  seen,  and  Abiram  now  sat 
apart,  plotting  the  means,  by  which  he  might  secure 
to  himself  the  advantages  of  his  undertaking,  which 
he  perceived  were  each  moment  becoming  more  un 
certain  through  the  open  admiration  of  Mahtoree 
for  the  innocent  subject  of  his  villany.  We  shall 
leave  him  to  his  vacillating  and  confused  expedients, 
in  order  to  pass  to  the  description  of  certain  other 
personages  in  our  drama. 

There  was  still  another  corner  of  the  picture  that  I 
was  occupied.  On  a  little  bank,  at  the  extreme  right! 
of  the  encampment,  lay  the  forms  of  Middleton  and 
Paul.  Their  limbs  were  painfully  bound  with  thongs, 
cut  from  that  of  a  bison,  while,  by  a  sort  of  refine 
ment  in  cruelty,  they  were  so  placed,  that  each  could 
see  a  reflection  of  his  own  misery  in  the  case  of  his 
neighbour.  Within  a  dozen  yards  of  them  a  post  was 
set  firmly  in  the  ground,  and  against  it  was  bound 
the  light  and  Apollo-like  person  of  Hard-Heart.  Be 
tween  the  two  stood  the  trapper,  deprived  of  his 
rifle,  his  pouch  and  his  horn,  but  otherwise  left  in  a 
sort  of  contemptuous  liberty.  Some  five  or  six  young 


376  THE    PRAIRIE 

warriors,  however,  with  quivers  at  their  backs,  and 
long  tough  bows,  dangling  from  their  shoulders,  who 
stood  with  grave  watchfulness  at  no  great  distance 
from  the  spot,  sufficiently  proclaimed  how  fruitless 
any  attempt  to  escape,  on  the  part  of  one  so  aged  and 
so  feeble,  might  prove.  Unlike  the  other  spectators 
of  the  important  conference  these  individuals  were 
engaged  in  a  discourse  that  for  them  contained  an 
interest  of  its  own. 

"  Captain,"  said  the  bee-hunter  with  an  expression 
of  comical  concern,  that  no  misfortune  could  depress 
in  one  of  his  buoyant  feelings,  "  do  you  really  find 
that  accursed  strap  of  untanned  leather  cutting  into 
your  shoulder,  or  is  it  only  the  tickling  in  my  own 
arm  that  I  feel  ?" 

"  When  the  spirit  suffers  so  deeply,  the  body  is  in 
sensible  to  pain,"  returned  the  more  refined,  though 
scarcely  so  spirited  Middleton ;  "  would  to  Heaven 
that  some  of  my  trusty  artillerists  might  fall  upon 
this  accursed  encampment !" 

"  You  might  as  well  wish  that  these  Teton  lodges 
were  so  many  hives  of  hornets,  and  that  the  insects 
would  come  forth  and  battle  with  yonder  tribe  of 
half-naked  savages."  Then  chuckling,  with  his  own 
conceit,  the  bee-hunter  turned  away  from  his  compan 
ion,  and  sought  a  momentary  relief  from  his  misery, 
by  imagining  that  such  a  wild  conceit  might  be  real 
ized,  and  fancying  the  manner,  in  which  the  attack 
would  upset  even  the  well-established  patience  of  an 
Indian. 

Middleton  was  glad  to  be  silent,  but  the  old  man, 
who  had  listened  to  their  words,  drew  a  little  nigher 
and  continued  the  discourse. 

"  Here  is  likely  to  be  a  merciless  and  a  hellish 
business  !"  he  said,  shaking  his  head  in  a  manner  to 
prove  that  even  his  experience  was  at  a  loss  for  a 
remedy  in  so  trying  a  dilemma.  "  Our  Pawnee  friend 
is  already  staked  for  the  torture,  and  I  well  know,  by 


THE    PRAIRIE.  377 

the  eye  and  the  countenance  of  the  great  Sioux,  that 
he  is  leading  on  the  temper  of  his  people  to  further 
enormities." 

"  Harkee,  old  trapper,"  said  Paul,  writhing  in  his 
bonds  to  catch  a  glimpse  of  the  other's  melancholy 
face ;  "  you  ar'  skilled  in  Indian  tongues  and  know 
somewhat  of  Indian  deviltries.  Go  you  to  the  coun 
cil,  and  tell  their  chiefs  in  my  name,  that  is  to  say  in 
the  name  of  Paul  Hover,  of  the  state  of  Kentucky, 
that  provided  they  will  guarantee  the  safe  return  of 
one  Ellen  Wade  into  the  States,  they  are  welcome 
to  take  his  scalp  when  and  in  such  manner  as  best 
suits  their  amusements:  or.  if-so-be  they  will  not 
trade  on  these  conditions,  you  may  throw  in  an  hour 
or  two  of  torture  before  hand,  in  order  to  sweeten, 
the  bargain  to  their  damnable  appetites." 

"  Ah  !  lad,  it  is  little  they  would  hearken  to  such 
an  offer,  knowing,  as  they  do,  that  you  are  already 
like  a  bear  in  a  trap,  as  little  able  to  fight  as  to  fly. 
But  be  not  down-hearted,  for  the  colour  of  a  white 
man  is  sometimes  his  death-warrant  among  these  far 
tribes  of  savages,  and  sometimes  his  shield.  Thougji 
they  love  us  not,  cunning  often  ties  their  hands. 
Could  the  red  nations  work  their  will,  trees  would 
shortly  be  growing  again  on  the  ploughed  fields  of 
America,  and  woods  would  be  whitened  with  Chris 
tian  bones.  No  one  can  doubt  that,  who  knows  the 
quality  of  the  love  which  a  Red-skin  bears  a  Pale 
face  ;  but  they  have  counted  our  numbers  until  their 
memories  fail  them,  and  they  are  not  without  their 
policy.  Therefore  is  our  fate  unsettled ;  but  I  fear 
me  there  is  small  hope  left  for  the  Pawnee !" 

As  the  old  man  concluded,  he  walked  slowly  to 
wards  the  subject  of  his  latter  observation,  taking  his 
post  at  no  great  distance  from  his  side.  Here  he 
stood,  observing  such  a  silence  and  mien  as  became 
him  to  manifest,  to  a  chief  so  renowned  and  so  situated 
as  his  captive  associate.  But  tho  eye  of  Hard-Heart 
212 


378  THE    PRAIRIE. 

was  fastened  on  the  distance,  and  his  whole  air  was 
that  of  one  whose  thoughts  were  entirely  removed 
from  the  present  scene. 

"  The  Siouxes  are  in  council  on  my  brother,"  the 
trapper  at  length  observed,  when  he  found  he  could 
only  attract  the  other's  attention  by  speaking. 

The  young  partizan  turned  his  head  with  a  calm 
smile  as  he  answered — 

"  They  are  counting  the  scalps  over  the  lodge  of 
Hard-Heart!" 

"  No  doubt,  no  doubt ;  their  tempers  begin  to 
mount,  as  they  remember  the  number  of  Tetons  you 
have  struck,  and  better  would  it  be  for  you  now,  had 
more  of  your  days  been  spent  in  chasing  the  deer, 
and  fewer  on  the  war-path.  Then  some  childless 
mother  of  this  tribe  might  take  you  in  the  place  of 
her  lost  son,  and  your  time  would  be  filled  in  peace." 

"  Does  my  father  think  that  a  warrior  can  ever 
die  ?  The  Master  of  Life  does  not  open  his  hand  to 
take  away  his  p.ifts  again.  When  he  wants  his  young 
men  he  calls  them,  and  they  go.  But  the  Red-skin 
he  has  once  breathed  on  lives  for  ever." 

"  Ay,  this  is  a  more  comfortable  and  a  more  hum 
ble  faith  than  that  which  yonder  heartless  Teton 
harbours  !  There  is  something  in  these  Loups  which 
opens  my  inmost  heart  to  them ;  they  seem  to  have 
the  courage,  ay,  and  the  honesty,  too,  of  the  Dela- 
wares  of  the  hills.  And  this  lad — it  is  wonderful,  it 
is  very  wonderful ;  but  the  age,  and  the  eye,  and  the 
limbs  are  as  if  they  might  have  been  brothers  !  Tell 
me,  Pawnee,  have  you  ever  in  your  traditions  heard 
of  a  mighty  people  who  once  lived  on  the  shores  of 
the  Salt-lake,  hard  by  the  rising  sun  ?" 

"  The  earth  is  white,  by  people  of  the  colour  of 
my  father." 

"  Nay,  nay,  I  speak  not  now  of  any  strollers,  who 
have  crept  into  the  land  to  rob  the  lawful  owners  of 
their  birth-right,  but  of  a  people  who  are,  or  rather 


THE    PRAIRIE. 

were,  what  with  nature  and  what  with  paint,  red  as 
the  berry  on  the  bush." 

"  I  have  heard  the  old  men  say,  that  there  were 
bands,  who  hid  themselves  in  the  woods  under  the 
rising  sun,  because  they  dared  not  come  upon  the 
open  prairies  with  men." 

"  Do  not  your  traditions  tell  you  of  the  greatest, 
the  bravest,  and  the  wisest  nation  of  Red-skins  that 
the  Wahcondah  has  ever  breathed  upon  ?" 

Hard-Heart  raised  his  head,  with  a  loftiness  and 
dignity  that  even  his  bonds  could  not  repress,  as  he 
answered — 

"  Has  age  blinded  my  father ;  or  does  he  see  so 
many  Siouxes,  that  he  believes  there  are  no  longer 
any  Pawnees  ?" 

"  Ah  !  such  is  mortal  vanity  and  pride  !"  exclaim 
ed  the  disappointed  old  man,  in  English  ;  "  Natur1  is 
as  strong  in  a  Red-skin  as  in  the  bosom  of  a  man  of 
white  gifts.  Now  would  a  Delaware  conceit  himself 
far  mightier  than  a  Pawnee,  just  as  a  Pawnee  boasts 
himself  to  be  of  the  princes  of  the  'arth.  And  so  it 
was  atween  the  Trenchers  of  the  Canadas  and  the 
red-coated  English,  that  the  king  did  use  to  send  into 
the  States,  when  States  they  were  not,  but  outcrying 
and  petitioning  provinces,  they  fou't  and  they  fou't, 
and  what  marvellous  boastings  did  they  give  forth  to 
the  world  of  their  own  valour  and  victories,  while 
both  parties  forgot  to  name  the  humble  soldier  of  the 
land,  who  did  the  real  service,  but  who,  as  he  was 
not  privileged  then  to  smoke  at  the  great  council  fire 
of  his  nation,  seldom  heard  of  his  deeds,  after  they 
were  once  bravely  done." 

When  the  old  man  had  thus  given  vent  to  the  near 
ly  dormant,  but  far  from  extinct,  military  pride,  that 
had  so  unconsciously  led  him  into  the  very  error  he 
deprecated,  his  eye,  which  had  begun  to  quicken  and 
and  glimmer  with  some  of  the  ardour  of  his  youth, 
softened  and  turned  its  anxious  look  on  the  devoted 


I 


380  THE    PRAIRIE. 

captive,  whose  countenance  was  also  restored  to  its 
former  cold  look  of  abstraction  and  thought. 

"  Young  warrior,"  he  continued  in  a  voice  that 
was  growing  tremulous,  "  I  have  never  been  father 
or  brother.  The  Wahcondah  made  me  to  live  alone. 
He  never  tied  my  heart  to  house  or  field,  by  the 
cords  with  which  the  men  of  my  race  are  bound  to 
their  lodges ;  if  he  had,  I  should  not  have  journeyed 
so  far,  and  seen  so  much.  But  I  have  tarried  long 
among  a  people,  who  lived  in  those  woods  you  men 
tion,  and  much  reason  did  I  find  to  imitate  their  cour 
age  and  love  their  honesty.  The  Master  of  Life 
has  made  us  all,  Pawnee,  with  a  feeling  for  our  kind. 
I  never  was  a  father,  but  well  do  I  know  what  is  the 
love  of  one.  You  are  like  a  lad  I  valued,  and  I  had 
even  begun  to  fancy  that  some  of  his  blood  might  be 
in  your  veins.  But  what  matters  that  ?  You  are  a 
true  man,  as  I  know  by  the  way  in  which  you  keep 
your  faith  ;  and  honesty  is  a  gift  too  rare  to  be  for 
gotten.  My  heart  yearns  to  you,  boy,  and  gladly 
would  I  do  you  good." 

The  youthful  warrior  listened  to  the  words,  which 
came  from  the  lips  of  the  other  with  a  force  and  sim 
plicity  that  established  their  truth,  and  he  bowed  his 
head  on  his  naked  bosom,  in  testimony  of  the  respect 
with  which  he  met  the  proffer.  Then  lifting  his  dark 
eye  to  the  level  of  the  view,  he  seemed  to  be  again 
considering  of  things  removed  from  every  personal 
consideration.  The  trapper,  who  well  knew  how 
high  the  pride  of  a  warrior  would  sustain  him,  in 
those  moments  he  believed  to  be  his  last,  awaited  the 
pleasure  of  his  young  friend,  with  a  meekness  and 
patience  that  he  had  acquired  by  his  association  with 
that  remarkable  race.  At  length  the  gaze  of  the 
Pawnee  began  to  waver;  and  then  quick,  flashing 
glances  were  turned  from  the  countenance  of  the  old 
man  to  the  air,  and  from  the  air  to  his  deeply  mark- 


THE    PRAIRIE.  381 

ed  lineaments  again,  as  if  the  spirit,  which  governed 
their  movements,  was  beginning  to  be  troubled. 

44  Father,"  the  young  brave  finally  answered  in  a, 
voice  of  confidence  and  kindness,  "  I  have  heard 
your  words.  They  have  gone  in  at  my  ears,  and  are 
now  within  me.  The  white-headed  Long-knife  has 
no  son  ;  the  Hard-Heart  of  the  Pawnees  is  young,  but 
he  is  already  the  oldest  of  his  family.  He  found  the 
bones  of  his  father  on  the  hunting-ground  of  the 
Osages,  and  he  has  sent  them  to  the  prairies  of  the 
Good  Spirits.  No  doubt  the  great  chief,  his  father, 
has  seen  them,  and  knows  what  is  part  of  himself. 
But  the  Wahcondah  will  soon  call  to  us  both  ;  you, 
because  you  have  seen  all  that  is  to  be  seen  in  this 
country,  and  Hard-Heart,  because  he  has  need  of  a 
warrior,  who  is  young.  There  is  no  time  for  the 
Pawnee  to  show  the  Pale-face  the  duty,  that  a  son 
owes  to  his  father." 

44  Old  as  I  am,  and  miserable  and  helpless  as  I  now 
stand,  to  what  I  once  was,  I  may  live  to  see  the  sun 
go  down  in  the  prairie.  Does  my  son  expect  ever 
to  see  darkness  come  again  ?" 

14  The  Tetons  are  counting  the  scalps  on  my 
lodge  !"  returned  the  young  chief,  with  a  smile  whose 
melancholy  was  singularly  illuminated  by  a  gleam  of 
triumph. 

44  And  they  find  them  many.  Too  many  for  the 
safety  of  its  owner,  while  he  is  in  their  revengeful 
hands.  My  son  is  not  a  woman,  and  he  looks  on  the 
path  he  is  about  to  travel  with  a  steady  eye.  Has 
he  nothing  to  whisper  in  the  ears  of  his  people  be 
fore  he  starts  ?  These  legs  are  old,  but  they  may  yet 
carry  me  to  the  forks  of  the  Loup-river." 

44  Tell  them  that  Hard-Heart  has  tied  a  knot  in  his 
wampum  for  every  Teton !"  burst  from  the  lips  of 
the  captive,  with  that  vehemence  with  which  sudden 
passion  is  known  to  break  through  the  barriers  of  ar 
tificial  restraint ;  "  if  he  meets  one  of  them  all,  in 


382  THE    PRAIRIE. 

the  prairies  of  the  Master  of  Life,  his  heart  will  be 
come  Sioux !" 

"  Ah  1  that  feeling  would  be  a  dangerous  compan 
ion  for  a  man  with  white  gifts  to  start  with  on  such  a 
solemn  journey,11  muttered  the  old  man  in  English. 
"  This  is  not  what  the  good  Moravians  said  to  the 
councils  of  the  Delawares,  nor  what  is  so  often 
preached,  to  the  White-skins  in  the  settlements, 
though  to  the  shame  of  the  colour  be  it  said,  it  is  so 
little  heeded.  Pawnee,  I  love  you  ;  but  being  a 
Christian  man  I  cannot  be  the  runner  to  bear  such  a 
message." 

"  If  my  father  is  afraid  the  Tetons  will  hear  him, 
let  him  whisper  it  softly  to  our  old  men." 

"  As  for  fear,  young  warrior,  it  is  no  more  the 
shame  of  a  Pale-face  than  of  a  Red-skin.  The 
Wahcondah  teaches  us  to  love  the  life  he  gives ;  but 
it  is  as  men  love  their  hunts,  and  their  dogs,  and  their 
carabines,  and  not  with  the  doting  that  a  mother  looks 
upon  her  infant.  The  Master  of  Life  will  not  have 
to  speak  aloud  twice  when  he  calls  my  name.  I  am 
as  ready  to  answer  to  it  now,  as  I  shall  be  to-morrow, 
or  at  any  time  it  may  please  his  mighty  will.  But 
what  is  a  warrior  without  his  traditions  ?  Mine  for 
bid  me  to  carry  your  words." 

The  chief  made  a  dignified  motion  of  assent,  and 
here  there  was  great  danger  that  those  feelings  of 
confidence,  which  had  been  so  singularly  awakened, 
would  as  suddenly  subside.  But  the  heart  of  the  old 
man  had  been  too  sensibly  touched,  through  long  dor 
mant  but  still  living  recollections,  to  break  off  the 
communication  so  rudely.  He  pondered  for  a  min 
ute,  and  then  bending  his  look  wistfully  on  his  young 
associate,  again  continued — 

"  Each  warrior  must  be  judged  by  his  gifts.  I 
have  told  my  son  what  I  cannot,  but  let  him  open  his 
ears  to  what  I  can  do.  An  elk  shall  not  measure 
the  prairie  much  swifter  than  these  old  legs,  if  the 


THE    PRAIRIE.  383 

Pawnee  will  give  me  a  message  that  a  white  man 
may  bear." 

"  Let  the  Pale-face  listen ;"  returned  the  other, 
after  hesitating  a  single  instant  longer,  under  a  lin 
gering  sensation  of  his  former  disappointment.  "  He 
will  stay  here  till  the  Siouxes  have  done  counting  the 
scalps  of  their  dead  warriors.  He  will  wait  until 
they  have  tried  to  cover  the  heads  of  eighteen  Te- 
tons  with  the  skin  of  one  Pawnee  ;  he  will  open  his 
eyes  wide,  that  he  may  see  the  place  where  they 
bury  the  bones  of  a  warrior." 

"  All  this  will  I  and  may  I,  do,  noble  boy." 

"  He  will  mark  the  spot  that  he  may  know  it." 

"  No  fear,  no  fear  that  I  shall  forget  the  place," 
interrupted  the  other,  whose  fortitude  began  to  give 
way  under  so  trying  an  exhibition  of  calmness  and 
resignation. 

"  Then  I  know  that  my  father  will  go  to  my  peo 
ple.  His  head  is  grey  and  his  words  will  not  be 
blown  away  with  the  smoke.  Let  him  get  on  my 
lodge,  and  call  the  name  of  Hard-Heart  aloud.  No 
Pawnee  will  be  deaf.  Then  let  my  father  ask  for 
the  colt,  that  has  never  been  ridden,  but  which  is 
sleeker  than  the  buck,  and  swifter  than  the  elk." 

"  I  understand  you,  boy,  I  understand  you,"  inter 
rupted  the  attentive  old  man ;  "  and  what  you  say 
shall  be  done,  ay,  and  well  done  too,  or  I'm  but  little 
skilled  in  the  wishes  of  a  dying  Indian." 

"  And  when  rny  young  men  have  given  my  father 
the  halter  of  that  colt,  he  will  lead  him  by  a  crooked 
path  to  the  grave  of  Hard-Heart?" 

"  Will  I  !  ay,  that  I  will,  my  brave  youth,  though 
the  winter  covers  these  plains  in  banks  of  snow,  and 
the  sun  is  hidden  as  much  by  day  as  by  night.  To 
the  head  of  the  holy  spot  will  I  lead  the  beast,  and 
place  him  with  his  eyes  looking  towards  the  setting 
sun." 

"  And  my  father  will  speak  to  him.  and  tell  him 


y 


384  THE    PRAIRIE, 

that  the  master,  who  has  fed  him  since  he  was  foal 
ed,  has  now  need  of  him." 

"  That,  too,  will  I  do  ;  though  the  Lord  he  knows 
that  I  shall  hold  discourse  with  a  horse,  not  with  any 
vain  conceit  that  my  words  will  be  understood,  but 
only  to  satisfy  the  cravings  of  Indian  superstition. 
Hector,  my  pup,  what  think  you,  dog,  of  talking  to  a 
horse  ?" 

"  Let  the  grey-beard  speak  to  him  with  the  tongue 
of  a  Pawnee,"  interrupted  the  young  victim,  perceiv 
ing  that  his  companion  had  used  an  unknown  lan 
guage  for  the  preceding  speech. 

"  My  son's  will  shall  be  done — And  with  these  old 
hands,  which  I  had  hoped  had  nearly  done  with 
blood-shed,  whether  it  be  of  man  or  beast,  will  I  slay 
the  animal  on  your  grave!" 

"  It  is  good  ;"  returned  the  other,  a  gleam  of  satis 
faction  flitting  across  his  grave  and  composed  fea 
tures.  i:  Hard-Heart  will  ride  his  horse  to  the  blessed 
prairies,  and  he  will  come  before  the  Master  of  Life 
like  a  chief!" 

The  sudden  and  striking  change,  which  instantly 
occurred  in  the  countenance  of  the  Indian,  caused  the; 
trapper  to  look  aside,  when  he  perceived  that  the 
conference  of  the  Siouxes  had  ended,  and  that  Mah- 
toree,  attended  by  one  or  two  of  the  principal  war 
liors,  was  deliberately  approaching  his  intended  vic 
tim. 


THE  PRAIRIE. 


385 


CHAPTER  XXVI. 

*«  I  am  not  prone  to  weeping,  as  our  sex 
Commonly  are. — " 

" — But  I  have  that  honourable 
Grief  lodged  here,  which  burns  worse  than 
Tears  drown." 

Shakspeare. 

WHEN  within  twenty  feet  of  the  prisoners,  the 
Tetons  stopped,  and  their  leader  made  a  Mgn  to  the 
old  man  to  draw  nigh.  The  trapper  obeyed,  quitting 
the  joung  Pawnee  with  a  significant  look,  which  was 
received,  as  it  was  meant,  for  an  additional  pledge 
that  he  would  never  forget  his  promise.  So  soon  as 
Mahtoree  found  that  the  other  had  stopped  within 
reach  of  him,  he  stretched  forth  his  arm,  and  laying 
a  hand  upon  the  shoulder  of  the  attentive  old  man, 
he  stood  regarding  him,  a  minute,  with  eyes  that 
seemed  willing  to  penetrate  the  recesses  of  his  most 
secret  thoughts. 

44  Is  a  Pale-face  made  with  two  tongues  ?"  he  de 
manded,  when  he  found  that,  as  usual,  with  the  sub 
ject  of  this  examination,  he  was  as  little  intimidated 
by  his  present  frown  as  moved  by  any  apprehensions 
of  the  future. 

44  Honesty  lies  deeper  than  the  skin." 

"  It  is  so.    Now  let  my  father  hear  me.    Mahtoree 
has  but  one  tongue,  the  grey-head  has  many.     They 
may  be  all  straight,  and  none  of  them  forked. 
Sioux  is  no  more  than  a  Sioux,  but  a  Pale  " 
every  thing !     He  can  talk  to  the  Pawnee 
Konza,  and  the  Omawhaw,  and  he  can  talk 
own  people." 

"  Ay,  there  are  linguisters  in  the  settlements  that 
can  do  still  more.  But  what  profits  it  all  ?  The  Mas 
ter  of  Life  has  an  ear  for  every  language !" 

**  The  grey-head  has  done  wrong.  He  has  said  one 
2K 


•  Theyw 

rked.  A  U  , 
le-face  is  I  \/ 
,  and  the  I  V 

ilk  to  his  [ 


386  TH£    PRAIKIE. 

thing  when  he  meant  another.  He  has  looked  before 
him  with  his  eyes,  and  behind  him  with  his  mind. 
He  has  ridden  the  horse  of  a  Sioux  too  hard ;  he  has 
been  the  friend  of  a  Pawnee  and  the  enemy  of  my 
people." 

"  Teton,  I  am  your  prisoner.  Though  my  words 
are  white,  they  will  not  complain  Act  your  will." 

"  No.  Mahtoree  will  not  make  a  white  hair  red. 
My  father  is  free.  The  prairie  is  open  on  every  side 
of  him.  But  before  the  gray-head  turns  his  back  on 
the  Siouxes,  let  him  look  well  at  them,  that  he  may 
tell  his  own  chief,  how  great  is  a  Dahcotah !" 

"  I  am  not  in  a  hurry  to  go  on  my  path.  You  see 
a  man  with  a  white  head,  and  no  woman,  Teton  ; 
therefore  shall  I  not  run  myself  out  of  breath,  to  tell 
the  nations  of  the  prairies  what  the  Siouxes  are 
doing." 

"  It  is  good.  My  father  has  smoked  with  the  chiefs 
at  many  councils,"  returned  Mahtoree,  who  now 
thought  himself  sufficiently  sure  of  the  other's  favour 
to  go  more  directly  to  his  object.  "  Mahtoree  will 
speak  with  the  tongue,  of  his  very  dear  friend  and 
father.  A  young  Pale-face  will  listen  when  an  old 
man  of  that  nation  opens  his  mouth.  Go,  my  father 
'  will  make  what  a  poor  Indian  says  fit  for  a  white 
ear." 

"  Speak  aloud  !"  said  the  trapper,  who  readily  un 
derstood  the  metaphorical  manner,  in  which  the  Te 
ton  expressed  a  desire  that  he  should  become  an  in 
terpreter  of  his  words  into  the  English  language ; 
"  speak,  my  young  men  listen.  Now,  captain,  and 
you  too,  friend  bee-hunter,  prepare  yourselves  to 
meet  the  deviltries  of  this  savage  with  the  stout 
hearts  of  white  warriors.  If  you  find  yourselves  giv 
ing  way  under  his  threats,  just  turn  your  eyes  on  that 
noble  looking  Pawnee,  whose  time  is  measured  with 
a  hand  as  niggardly,  as  that  with  which  a  trader  in 
the  towns  gives  forth  the  fruits  of  the  Lord,  inch  by 


THE    PRAIRIE*  387 

inch,  in  order  to  satisfy  his  covetousness.     A  single 
look  at  the  boy  will  set  you  both  up  in  resolution." 

"  My  brother  has  turned  his  eyes  on  the  wrong 
path;"  interrupted  Mahtoree,  with  a  complacency 
that  betrayed  how  unwilling  he  was  to  offend  his  in 
tended  interpreter. 

"The  Dahcotah  will  speak  to  my  young  men ?" 

"  After  he  has  sung  in  the  ear  of  the  flower  of  the 
Pale-faces." 

"  The  Lord  forgive  the  desperate  villian !"  exclaim 
ed  the  old  man  in  English.  "  There  are  none  so  ten 
der,  or  so  young,  or  so  innocent,  as  to  escape  his  rav 
enous  wishes.  But  hard  words  and  cold  looks  will 
profit  nothing ;  therefore  it  will  be  wise  to  speak  him 
fair.  Let  Mahtoree  open  his  mouth." 

"  Would  my  father  cry  out,  that  the  women  and 
children  should  hear  the  wisdom  of  chiefs.  We  will 
go  into  the  lodge  and  whisper." 

As  the  Teton  ended,  he  pointed  significantly  to 
wards  a  tent,  vividly  emblazoned  with  the  history  of 
one  of  his  own  boldest  and  most  commended  ex 
ploits,  and  which  stood  a  little  apart  from  the  rest,  as 
if  to  denote  it  was  the  residence  of  some  privileged 
individual  of  the  band.  The  shield  and  quiver  at  its 
entrance  were  richer  than  common,  and  the  high  dis 
tinction  of  a  fusee,  unequivocally  attested  the  impor 
tance  of  its  proprietor.  In  every  other  particular  it 
was  rather  distinguished  by  signs  of  poverty  than  of 
wealth.  The  domestic  utensils  were  fewer  in  num 
ber  and  simpler  in  their  forms,  than  those  to  be 
seen  about  the  openings  of  the  meanest  lodges,  nor 
was  there  a  single  one  of  those  high-prized  articles 

Of  Civilized    life,  whirfr  WPT-P  nr.rasmnally  bought   of 

the  traders,  in  bargains  that  bore  so  hard  on  the  ig 
norant  natives.  All  these  had  been  bestowed,  as  they 
'T^'^reeTracquired;  by  the  generous  chief,  on  his  sub 
ordinates,  to  purchase  an  influence  that  might  render 
Jiim  the  master  of  their  lives  and  persons ;  a  species 


v 


388  THE    PRAIRIE. 

of  wealth  that  was  certainly  more  noble  in  itself,  and 
far  dearer  to  his  ambition. 

The  old  man  well  knew  this  to  be  the  lodge  of 
Mahtoree,  and,  in  obedience  to  the  sign  of  the  chief, 
he  held  his  way  towards  it  with  slow  and  reluctant 
steps.  But  there  were  others  present,  who  were 
equally  interested  in  the  approaching  conference, 
whose  apprehensions  were  not  to  be  so  easily  sup 
pressed.  The  watchful  eyes  and  jealous  ears  of  Mid- 
dleton  had  taught  him  enough  to  fill  his  soul  with  the 
most  horrible  forebodings.  With  an  incredible  effort 
he  succeeded  in  gaining  his  feet,  and  called  aloud  to 
the  retiring  trapper — 

"  I  conjure  you,  old  man,  if  the  lo\e  you  bore  my 
parents  was  more  than  words,  or  if  the  love  you  bear 
your  God  is  that  of  a  Christian  man,  utter  not  a 
syllable  that  may  wound  the  ear  of  that  innocent — " 

Exhausted  in  spirit  and  fettered  in  limbs,  he  then 
fell,  like  an  inanimate  log,  to  the  earth,  where  he  lay 
as  if  perfectly  dead. 

Paul  had  however  caught  the  clue  and  completed 
the  exhortation,  in  his  peculiar  manner. 

"  Harkee,  old  trapper,"  he  shouted,  vainly  endeav 
ouring  at  the  same  time  to  make  a  gesture  of  defiance 
with  his  hand ;  "  if  you  ar'  about  to  play  the  inter 
preter,  speak  such  words  to  the  ears  of  that  damnable 
savage,  as  becomes  a  white  man  to  use  and  a  heathen 
to  hearken  to.  Tell  him,  from  me,  that  if  he  does 
or  says  the  thing  that  is  uncivil  to  the  girl,  called 
Nelly  Wade,  that  I'll  curse  him  with  my  dying  breath ; 
that  I'll  pray  for  all  good  Christians  in  Kentucky  to 
curse  him;  sitting  and  standing;  eating  and  drinking; 
tighting,  praying,  or  at  horse-races;  in-doors  and  out 
doors  ;  in  summer  or  winter,  or  in  the  month  of  March ; 
in  short  I'll — ay,  it  ar'  a  fact,  morally  true — I'll  haunt 
him,  if  the  ghost  of  a  Pale-face  can  contrive  to  lift 
itself  from  a  grave  made  by  the  hands  of  a  Red 
skin!" 


THE    PRAIRIE.  389 

Having  thus  vented  the  most  terrible  denunciation 
he  could  devise,  and  the  one  which,  in  the  eyes  of 
the  honest  bee-hunter,  there  seemed  the  greatest 
likelihood  of  his  being  able  to  put  in  execution,  he 
was  obliged  to  await  the  fruits  of  his  threat,  with  all 
that  calm  resignation  which  would  be  apt  to  govern 
a  western  border-man  who,  in  addition  to  the  pros 
pects  just  named,  had  the  advantage  of  contemplating 
them  in  fetters  and  bondage.  We  shall  not  detain 
the  narrative,  to  relate  the  quaint  morals  with  which 
he  next  endeavoured  to  cheer  the  drooping  spirits  of 
his  more  sensitive  companion,  or  the  occasional  pithy 
and  peculiar  benedictions  that  he  pronounced,  on  all 
the  bands  of  the  Dahcotahs,  commencing  with  those 
whom  he  accused  of  stealing  or  murdering,  on  the 
banks  of  the  distant  Mississippi,  and  concluding,  in 
terms  of  suitable  energy,  with  the  Teton  tribe.  The 
latter  more  than  once  received  from  his  lips  curses 
as  sententious  and  as  complicated  as  that  celebrated 
anathema  of  the  church,  for  a  knowledge  of  which 
most  unlettered  Protestants  are  indebted  to  the  pious 
researches  of  the  worthy  Tristram  Shandy.  But  as 
Middleton  recovered  from  his  exhaustion  he  was  fain 
to  appease  the  boisterous  temper  of  his  associate,  by 
admonishing  him-of  the  uselessness  of  such  denun 
ciations,  and  of  the  possibility  of  their  hastening  the 
very  evil  he  deprecated,  by  irritating  tne  resentments 
of  a  race,  who  were  sufficiently  fierce  and  lawless, 
even  in  their  most  pacific  moods. 

~Hrthe  mean  time  the  trapper  and  the  Sioux  chief 
had  pursued  their  way  to  the  lodge.  The  former 
had  watched  with  painful  interest  the  expression  of 
Mahtoree's  eye,  while  the  words  of  Middleton  and 
Paul  were  pursuing  their  foot-steps,  but  the  mif,ri  of 
the  Indian  was  far  too  much  restrained  and  self- 
guarded,  to  permit  the  smallest  of  his  emotions  to 
escape  through  any  of  those  ordinary  outlets,  by 
which  the  condition  of  the  human  volcano  is  com* 
2K2 


390  THE    PRAIRIE. 

monly  betrayed.  His  look  was  fastened  on  the  little 
tenement  they  approached ;  and,  for  the  moment,  his 
thoughts  appeared  to  brood  alone  on  the  purposes  of 
this  extraordinary  visit. 

The  appearance  of  the  interior  of  the  lodge  cor 
responded  with  its  exterior.  It  was  larger  than  most 
of  the  others,  more  finished  in  its  form,  and  finer  in 
its  materials  ;  but  there  its  superiority  ceased.  No 
thing  could  be  more  simple  and  republican  than  the 
form  of  living  that  the  ambitious  and  powerful  Teton 
chose  to  exhibit  to  the  eyes  of  his  people.  A  choice 
collection  of  weapons  for  the  chase,  some  three  or 
four  medals,  bestowed  by  the  traders  and  political 
agents  of  the  Canadas  as  a  homage  to,  or  rather  as 
an  acknowledgment  of  his  rank,  with  a  few  of  the 
most  indispensable  articles  of  personal  accommoda 
tion,  composed  its  furniture.  It  abounded  in  neither 
venison  nor  the  wild-beef  of  the  prairies ;  its  crafty 
owner  having  well  understood  that  the  liberality  of  a 
single  individual  would  be  abundantly  rewarded  by 
the  daily  contributions  of  a  band.  Although  as  pre 
eminent  in  the  chase  as  in  war,  a  deer  or  a  bufFaloe 
was  never  seen  to  enter  whole  into  his  lodge.  In  re 
turn  an  animal  was  rarely  brought  into  the  encamp 
ment,  that  did  not  contribute  to  support  the  family 
of  Mahtoree.  But  the  policy  of  the  chief  seldom 
permitted  more  to  remain  than  sufficed  for  the  wants 
of  the  day,  perfectly  assured  that  all  must  suffer  be 
fore  hunger,  the  bane  of  savage  life,  could  lay  its  fell 
fangs  on  so  important  a  victim. 

Immediately  beneath  the  favourite  bow  of  the 
chief,  and  encircled  in  a  sort  of  magical  ring  of 
spears,  shields,  lances  and  arrows,  all  of  which  had 
in  their  time  done  good  service,  was  suspended  the 
mysterious  and  sacred  medicine-bag.  It  was  highly 
wrought  in  wampum,  and  profusely  ornamented  with 
beads  and  porcupine's  quills,  after  the  most  cunning 
devices  of  Indian  ingenuity.  The  peculiar  freedom 


THE    PRAIRIE.  391 

of  Mahtoree's  religious  creed  has  been  more  than 
once  intimated,  and  by  a  singular  species  of  contra 
diction,  he  appeared  to  have  lavished  his  attentions 
on  this  emblem  of  a  supernatural  agency,  in  a  degree 
that  was  precisely  inverse  to  his  faith.  It  was  merely 
the  manner,  in  which  the  Sioux  imitated  the  well- 
known  expedient  of  the  Pharisees,  "  in  order  that 
they  might  be  seen  of  men." 

The  tent  had  not,  however,  been  entered  by  its 
owner  since  his  return  from  the  recent  expedition. 
As  the  reader  has  already  anticipated  it  had  been 
made  the  prison  of  Inez  and  Ellen.  The  bride  of 
Middleton  was  seated  on  a  simple  couch  of  sweet- 
scented  herbs  covered  with  skins.  She  had  already 
suffered  so  much,  and  witnessed  so  many  wild  and 
unlooked-for  events  within  the  short  space  of  her 
captivity,  that  every  additional  misfortune  fell  with  a 
diminished  force  on  her  seemingly  devoted  head. 
Her  cheeks  were  bloodless,  her  dark  and  usually  ani 
mated  eye  was  contracted  in  an  expression  of  settled 
concern,  and  her  form  appeared  shrinking  and  sensi 
tive,  nearly  to  extinction.  But  in  the  midst  of  these 
evidences  of  natural  weakness,  there  were  at  times 
such  an  air  of  pious  resignation,  such  gleams  of  meek 
but  holy  hope  lighting  her  countenance,  as  might  well 
have  tendered  it  a  question  whether  the  hapless  cap 
tive  was  most  a  subject  of  pity  or  of  admiration. 
All  the  precepts  of  father  Ignatius  were  riveted  in 
her  faithful  memory,  and  not  a  few  of  his  pious  vi 
sions  were  floating  before  her  heated  imagination. 
Sustained  by  such  sacred  resolutions  the  mild,  the 
patient  and  the  confiding  girl  was  bowing  her  head  to 
this  new  stroke  of  Providence,  with  the  same  sort  of 
meekness  as  she  would  have  submitted  to  any  other 
prescribed  penitence  for  her  sins,  though  nature,  at 
moments,  warred  powerfully,  with  so  compelled  a 
humility. 

On  the  other  hand,  Ellen  had  exhibited  far  more 


392  THE    PRAIRIE. 

of  the  woman,  and  consequently  of  the  passions  of 
the  world.  She  had  wept  until  her  eyes  were  swol 
len  and  red.  Her  cheeks  were  flushed  and  angry, 
and  her  whole  mien  was  distinguished  by  an  air  of 
spirit  and  resentment,  that  was  not  a  little,  however, 
qualified  by  apprehensions  for  the  future.  In  short, 
there  was  that  about  the  eye  and  step  of  the  betrothed 
of  Paul,  which  gave  a  warranty  that  should  happier 
times  arrive,  and  the  constancy  of  the  bee-hunter 
finally  meet  with  its  reward,  he  would  possess  a  part 
ner  every  way  worthy  to  cope  with  his  own  thought 
less  and  buoyant  temperament. 

There  was  still  another  and  a  third  figure  in  that 
little  knot  of  females.  It  was  the  youngest,  the  most 
highly  gifted,  and,  until  now,  the  most  favoured  of 
the  wives  of  the  Teton.  Her  charms  had  not  been 
without  the  most  powerful  attraction  in  the  eyes  of 
her  husband,  until  they  had  so  unexpectedly  opened 
on  the  surpassing  loveliness  of  a  woman  of  the  Pale 
faces.  From  that  hapless  moment  the  graces,  the  at 
tachment,  the  fidelity  of  the  young  Indian,  had  lost 
their  power  to  please.  Still  the  complexion  of  Tache- 
chana,  though  less  dazzling  than  that  of  her  rival, 
was,  for  her  race,  clear  and  healthy.  Her  hazel  eye 
had  the  sweetness  and  playfulness  of  the  antelope's ; 
her  voice  was  soft  and  joyous  as  the  song  of  the.  wren, 
and  Jier  happy  laugh  was  the  very  melody  of  the 
forest.  Of  all  the  Sioux  girls,  Tachechana  (the 
Fawn)  was  the  lightest-hearted  and  the  most  envied. 
Her  father  had  been  a  distinguished  brave,  and  hei 
brothers  had  already  left  their  bones  on  a  distant  and 
dreary  war-path.  Numberless  were  the  warriors, 
who  had  sent  presents  to  the  lodge  of  her  parents, 
but  none  of  them  were  listened  to  until  a  messenger 
from  the  great  Mahtoree  had  come.  She  was  his 
third  wife,  it  is  true,  but  she  was  confessedly  the  most 
favoured  of  them  all.  Their  union  had  existed  bat 
two  short  season?,  and  its  fruits  now  lay  sleeping  at 


THE    PRAIRIE.  393 

her  feet,  wrapped  in  the  customary  ligatures  of  skin 
and  bark,  which  form  the  swaddlings  of  an  Indian 
infant. 

At  the  moment,  when  Mahtoree  and  the  trapper 
arrived  at  the  opening  of  the  lodge,  the  young  Sioux 
wife  was  seated  on  a  simple  stool,  turning  her  soft 
eyes,  with  looks  that  varied  like  her  emotions  with 
love  and  wonder,  from  the  unconscious  child  to  those 
rare  beings,  who  had  filled  her  youthful  and  unin- 
structed  mind  with  so  much  admiration  and  astonish 
ment.  Though  Inez  and  Ellen  had  passed  an  entire 
day  in  her  sight,  it  seemed  as  if  the  longings  of  her 
curiosity  were  increasing  with  each  new  gaze.  She 
regarded  them  as  beings  of  an  entirely  different  na 
ture  and  condition  from  the  females  of  the  prairie. 
Even  the  mystery  of  their  complicated  attire  had  its 
secret  influence  on  her  simple  mind,  though  it  was 
the  grace  and  charms  of  sex,  to  which  nature  has 
made  every  people  so  sensible,  that  most  attracted 
her  admiration.  But  while  her  ingenuous  disposition 
freely  admitted  the  superiority  of  the  strangers  over 
the  less  brilliant  attractions  of  the  Dahcotah  maidens, 
she  had  seen  no  reason  to  deprecate  their  advan 
tages.  The  visit  that  she  was  now  about  to  receive, 
was  the  first  which  her  husband  had  made  to  the  tent 
since  his  return  from  the  recent  inroad,  and  he  was 
ever  present  to  her  thoughts,  as  a  successful  warrior, 
who  was  not  ashamed,  in  the  moments  of  inaction, 
to  admit  the  softer  feelings  of  a  father  and  a  hus 
band. 

We  have  every  where  endeavoured  to  show  that 
while  Mahtoree  was  in  all  essentials  a  warrior  of  the 
prairies,  he  was  much  in  advance  of  his  people  in 
those  acquirements  which  announce  the  dawnings  of 
civilization.  He  had  held  frequent  communion  with 
the  traders  and  troops  of  the  Canadas,  and  the  inter 
course  had  unsettled  many  of  those  wild  opinions 
which  were  his  birth-right,  without  perhaps  substi 


394  THE    PRAIRIE, 

tuting  any  others  of  a  nature  sufficiently  definite  to 
be  profitable.  His  reasoning  was  rather  subtle  than 
true,  and  his  philosophy  far  more  audacious  than 
profound.  Like  thousands  of  more  enlightened  be 
ings,  who  fancy  they  are  able  to  go  through  the  trials 
of  human  existence  without  any  other  support  than 
their  own  resolutions,  his  morals  were  accommoda 
ting  and  his  motives  selfishness.  These  several  char 
acteristics  will  be  understood  always  with  reference 
to  the  situation  of  the  Indian,  though  little  apology 
is  needed  for  finding  resemblances  between  men,  who 
essentially  possess  the  same  nature,  however  it  may 
be  modified  by  circumstances. 

Notwithstanding  the  presence  of  Inez  and  Ellen, 
the  entrance  of  the  Teton  warrior,  into  the  lodge  of 
his  favourite  wife,  was  made  with  the  tread  and  mien 
of  a  master.  The  step  of  his  moccasin  was  noiseless, 
but  the  rattling  of  his  bracelets,  and  of  the  silver 
ornaments  of  his  leggings,  sufficed  to  announce  his 
approach  as  he  pushed  aside  the  skin  covering  of  the 
opening  of  the  tent,  and  stood  in  the  presence  of  its 
inmates.  A  faint  cry  of  pleasure  burst  from  the  lips 
of  Tachechana  in  the  suddenness  of  her  surprise, 
but  the  emotion  was  instantly  suppressed  in  that  sub 
dued  demeanour  which  should  characterize  a  matron 
of  her  tribe.  Instead  of  returning  the  stolen  glance 
of  his  youthful  and  secretly  rejoicing  wife,  Mahtoree 
moved  to  the  couch,  occupied  by  his  prisoners,  and 
placed  himself  in  the  haughty,  upright  attitude  of  an 
Indian  chief,  before  their  eyes.  The  old  man  had 
glided  past  him,  and  already  taken  a  position  suited 
to  the  office  he  had  been  commanded  to  fill. 

Surprise  kept  the  females  for  a  moment  silent  and 
nearly  breathless.  Though  accustomed  to  the  sight 
of  savage  warriors,  in  all  the  horrid  panoply  of  their 
terrible  profession,  there  was  something  so  startling 
in  the  entrance,  and  so  audacious  in  the  inexplicable 
look  of  their  conqueror,  that  the  eyes  of  both  sunk 


THE    PRAIRIE.  395 

to  the  earth  under  a  feeling  of  terror  and  perhaps 
of  embarrassment.  Then  Inez  recovered  herself, 
and  addressing  the  trapper  she  demanded,  witn  the 
dignity  of  an  offended  gentlewoman,  though  with  her 
accustomed  grace  of,  to  what  circumstance  they 
owed  this  extraordinary  and  unexpected  visit.  The 
old  man  hesitated  ;  but  clearing  his  throat,  like  one 
who  was  about  to  make  an  effort  to  which  he  was 
little  used,  he  ventured  on  the  following  reply — 

"Lady,"  he  said,  "a  savage  is  a  savage,  and  you 
are  not  to  look  for  the  uses  and  formalities  of  the 
settlements  on  a  bleak  and  windy  prairie.  As  these 
Indians  would  say,  fashions  and  courtesies  are  things 
so  light,  that  they  would  blow  away.  As  for  myself, 
though  a  man  of  the  forest,  I  have  seen  the  ways  of 
the  great,  in  my  time,  and  I  am  not  to  learn  that  they 
differ  from  the  ways  of  the  lowly.  I  was  long  a  serv 
ing-man  in  my  youth,  not  one  of  your  beck-and-nod 
runners  about  a  household,  but  a  man  that  went 
through  the  servitude  of  the  forest  with  his  officer, 
and  well  do  I  know  in  what  manner  to  approach  the 
wife  of  a  captain.  Now,  had  I  the  ordering  of  this 
visit,  I  would  first  have  hemmed  aloud  at  the  door, 
in  order  that  you  might  hear  that  strangers  were  com 
ing,  and  then  I — " 

"  The  manner  is  indifferent,"  interrupted  Inez,  too 
anxious  to  await  the  prolix  explanations  of  the  old 
man  ;  "  why  is  the  visit  made  ?" 

"  Therein  shall  the  savage  speak  for  himself. — The 
daughters  of  the  Pale-faces  wish  to  know  why  the 
Great  Teton  has  come  into  his  lodge  ?" 

Mahtoree  regarded  his  interrogator  with  a  surprise, 
which  showed  how  extraordinary  he  deemed  the 
question.  Then  placing  himself  in  a  posture  of  con 
descension,  after  a  moment's  delay,  he  answered — 

"  Sing  in  the  ears  of  the  dark-eye.  Tell  her  the 
lodge  of  Mahtoree  is  very  large,  and  that  it  is  not 
full.  She  shall  find  room  in  it,  and  none  shall  be 


396  THE    PRAIRIE. 

greater  than  she.  Tell  the  light-hair,  that  she  too 
may  stay  in  the  lodge  of  a  brave,  and  eat  of  his  ven 
ison.  Mahtoree,  is  a  great  chief.  His  hand  is  never 
shut/' 

"  Teton,"  returned  the  trapper,  shaking  his  head  in 
evidence  of  the  strong  disapprobation  with  which  he 

I  heard  this  language,  "  the  tongue  of  a  Red-skin  must 
be  coloured  white  before  it  can  make  music  in  the  ears 
vof  a  Pale-face.  Should  your  words  be  spoken,  my 
daughters  would  shut  their  ears,  and  Mahtoree  would 
seem  a  trader  to  their  eyes.  Now  listen  to  what 
comes  from  a  gray-head,  and  then  speak  accordingly. 
My  people  is  a  mighty  people.  The  sun  rises  on 
their  eastern  and  sets  on  their  western  border.  The 
land  is  filled  with  bright-eyed  and  laughing  girls,  like 
these  you  see — ay,  Teton  I  tell  no  lie,"  observing  his 
auditor  to  start  with  an  air  of  distrust — "  bright-eyed 
and  pleasant  to  behold,  as  these  before  you." 

"Has  my  father  a  hundred  wives?"  interrupted 
the  savage,  laying  his  finger  on  the  shoulder  of  the 
trapper,  with  a  look  of  curious  interest  in  the  reply. 

"  No,  Dahcotah.  The  Master  of  Life  has  said  to 
me,  live  alone ;  your  lodge  shall  be  the  forest ;  the 
roof  of  your  wigwam,  the  clouds.  But,  though  never 
bound  in  the  secret  faith  which,  in  my  nation,  ties 
one  man  to  one  woman,  often  have  I  seen  the  work 
ings  of  that  kindness  which  brings  the  two  together. 
Go  into  the  regions  of  my  people  ;  you  will  see  the 
daughters  of  the  land,  fluttering  through  the  towns 
like  many  coloured  and  joyful  birds  in  the  season 
of  blossoms.  You  will  meet  them,  singing  and  re 
joicing,  along  the  great  paths  of  the  country,  and  you 
Will  hear  the  woods  ringing  with  their  laughter.  They 
are  very  excellent  to  behold,  and  the  young  men  find 
pleasure  in  looking  at  them." 

"  Hugh  !"  ejaculated  the  attentive  Mahtoree. 

"  Ay,  well  may  you  put  faith  in  what  you  hear,  for 
it  is  no  lie.  But  when  a  youth  has  found  a  maiden 


THE  PRAIRIE.  397 

to  please  him,  he  speaks  to  her  in  a  voice  so  soft, 
that  none  else  can  hear.     He  does  not  say,  my  lodge 
s  empty  and  there  is  room  for  another;  but  shall 
I    build,  and   will   the  virgin  show  me  near   what 
spring  she  would  dwell  ?     His  voice  is  sweeter  than 
honey  from  the  locust,  and  goes  into  the  ear  thrilling  //    / 
like  the  song  of  a  wren.     Therefore,  if  my  brother!  J 
wishes  his  words  to  be  heard,  he  must  speak  with  a ] 
white  tongue."  jf 

Mahtoree  pondered  deeply,  and  in  a  wonder  that 
he  did  not  attempt  to  conceal.  It  was  reversing  all 
the  order  of  society,  and,  according  to  his  establish 
ed  opinions,  endangering  the  dignity  of  a  chief,  for  a 
warrior  thus  to  humble  himself  before  a  woman.  But 
as  Inez  sat  before  him,  reserved  and  imposing  in  air, 
utterly  unconscious  of  his  object,  and  least  of  all  sus 
pecting  the  true  purport  of  so  extraordinary  a  visit, 
the  savage  felt  the  influence  of  a  manner  to  which 
he  was  unaccustomed.  Bowing  his  head,  as  if  in  ac 
knowledgment  of  his  error,  he  stepped  a  little  back, 
and  placing  himself  in  an  attitude  of  easy  dignity,  he 
began  to  speak  with  the  confidence  of  one  who  had 
been  no  less  distinguished  for  his  eloquence  than  for 
his  deeds  in  arms.  Keeping  his  eyes  riveted  on  the 
unconscious  bride  of  Middleton  he  proceeded  in  the 
following  words. 

"  I  am  a  man  with  a  red  skin,  but  my  eyes  are  dark. 
They  have  been  open  since  many  snows.  They  have 
seen  many  things — they  know  a  brave  from  a  coward. 
When  a  boy,  I  saw  nothing  but  the  bison  and  the 
deer.  I  went  to  the  hunts,  and  I  saw  the  cougar  and 
the  bear.  This  made  Mahtoree  a  man.  He  talked 
with  his  mother  no  more.  His  ears  were  open  to  the 
wisdom  of  the  old  men.  They  told  him  every  thing 
— they  told  him  of  the  Big-knives.  He  went  on  the 
war-path.  He  was  then  the  last ;  now,  he  is  the  first. 
What  Dahcotah  dare  say  he  will  go  before  Mahtoree 
into  the  hunting-grounds  of  the  Pawnees  ?  The  chiefs 
2  L 


I 


39&  THE    PRAIRIE. 

met  him  at  their  doors,  and  they  said,  my  son  is  with 
out  a  home.  They  gave  him  their  lodges,  they  gave 
him  their  riches,  and  they  gave  him  their  daughters. 
Then  Mahtoree  became  a  chief,  as  his  fathers  had 
been.  He  struck  the  warriors  of  all  the  nations,  and 
he  could  have  chosen  wives  from  the  Pawnees,  the 
Omawhaws,  and  the  Konzas ;  but  he  looked  at  the 
hunting-grounds,  and  not  at  his  village.  He  thought 
a  horse  was  pleasanter  than  a  Dahcotah  girl.  But 
he  found  a  flower  on  the  prairies,  and  he  plucked  it 
and  brought  it  into  his  lodge.  He  forgets  that  he  is 
the  master  of  a  single  horse.  He  gives  them  all  to 
the  stranger,  for  Mahtoree  is  not  a  thief;  he  will  only 
keep  the  flower  he  found  on  the  prairie.  Her  feet 
are  very  tender.  She  cannot  walk  to  the  door  of  her 
father ;  she  will  stay,  in  the  lodge  of  a  warrior  for 
ever." 

When  he  had  finished  this  extraordinary  address, 
the  Teton  awaited  to  have  it  translated,  with  the  air 
of  a  suitor  who  entertained  no  very  disheartening 
doubts  of  his  success.  The  trapper  had  not  lost  a 
syllable  of  the  speech,  and  he  now  prepared  himself 
to  render  it  into  English  in  such  a  manner  as  should 
leave  its  principal  idea  even  more  obscure  than  in  the 
original.  But  as  his  reluctant  lips  were  in  the  act  of 
parting,  Ellen  lifted  a  finger,  and  with  a  keen  glance 
from  her  quick  eye,  at  the  still  attentive  Inez,  she  in 
terrupted  him. 

"  Spare  your  breath  ;"  she  said  ;  "  all  that  a  sav 
age  says  is  not  to  be  repeated  before  a  Christian 
lady." 

Inez  started,  blushed,  and  bowed  with  an  air  of 
reserve,  as  she  coldly  thanked  the  old  man  for  his 
intentions,  and  observed  that  she  could  now  wish  to 
be  alone. 

"  My  daughters  have  no  need  of  ears  to  understand 
what  a  great  Dahcotah  says,"  returned  the  trapper 
addressing  himself  to  the  expecting  Mahtoree.  "  The 


THE    PRAIRIE.  399 

look  he  has  given,  and  the  signs  he  has  made,  are 
enough.  They  understand  him  ;  they  wish  to  think  of 
his  words  ;  for  the  children  of  great  braves,  such  as 
their  fathers  are,  do  nothing  without  much  thought." 

With  this  explanation,  so  flattering  to  the  energy 
of  his  eloquence,  and  so  promising  to  his  future 
hopes,  the  Teton  was  every  way  content.  He  made 
the  customary  ejaculation  of  assent,  and  prepared  to 
retire.  Saluting  the  females,  in  the  cold  but  dignified 
manner  of  his  people,  he  drew  his  robe  about  him, 
and  moved  from  the  spot  where  he  had  stood  with 
an  air  of  ill-concealed  triumph. 

But  there  had  been  a  stricken,  though  a  motion 
less  and  unobserved  auditor  of  the  foregoing  scene. 
Not  a  syllable  had  fallen  from  the  lips  of  the  long 
and  anxiously  expected  husband,  that  had  not  gone 
directly  to  the  heart  of  his  unoffending  wife.  In  this 
manner  had  he  wooed  her  from  the  lodge  of  her  fa 
ther,  and  it  was  to  listen  to  similar  pictures  of  the 
renown  and  deeds  of  the  greatest  brave  in  her  tribe, 
that  she  had  shut  her  ears  to  the  tender  tales  of  so 
many  of  the  Sioux  youths. 

As  the  Teton  turned  to  leave  his  lodge,  in  the 
manner  just  mentioned,  he  found  this  unexpected  and 
half  forgotten  object  before  him.  She  stood,  in  the 
humble  guise  and  with  the  shrinking  air  of  an  Indian 
girl,  holding  the  pledge  of  their  former  loves  in  her 
arms,  directly  in  his  path.  Starting  for  a  single  in 
stant,  the  chief  regained  the  marble-like  indifference 
of  countenance,  which  distinguished  in  so  remarkable 
a  degree  the  restrained  or  more  artificial  expression 
of  his  features,  and  signed  to  her,  with  an  air  of  au 
thority,  to  give  place. 

"  Is  not  Tachechana  the  daughter  of  a  chief?' 
demanded  a  subdued  voice,  in  which  pride  struggled 
fearfully  with  anguish;  "were  not  her  brothers 
braves  ?" 


400  THE    PRAIRIE. 

"  Go  ;  the  men  are  calling  their  partisan.  He  has 
no  ears  for  a  woman." 

"  No,"  replied  the  supplicant ;  "  it  is  not  the  voice 
of  Tachechana  that  you  hear,  but  this  boy,  speaking 
with  the  tongue  of  his  mother.  He  is  the  son  of  a 
chief  and  his  words  will  go  up  to  his  father's  ears. 
Listen  to  what  he  says.  When  was  Mahtoree  hun 
gry  and  Tachechana  had  not  food  for  him  ?  When 
did  he  go  on  the  path  of  the  Pawnees  and  find  it 
empty,  that  my  mother  did  not  weep  ?  When  did 
he  come  back  with  the  marks  of  their  blows,  that 
she  did  not  sing  ?  What  Sioux  girl  has  given  a  brave 
a  son  like  me  ?  Look  at  me  well,  that  you  may  know 
me.  My  eyes  are  the  eagle's.  I  look  at  the  sun  and 
laugh.  In  a  little  time  the  Dahcotahs  will  follow  me 
to  the  hunts  and  on  the  war-path.  Why  does  my  fa 
ther  turn  his  eyes  from  the  woman  that  gives  me 
milk  ?  Why  has  he  so  soon  forgotten  the  daughter 
of  a  mighty  Sioux?" 

There  was  a  single  instant,  as  the  exulting  father 
suffered  his  cold  eye  to  wander  to  the  face  of  the 
laughing  boy,  that  the  stern  nature  of  the  Teton 
seemed  touched.  But  shaking  off  the  grateful  sen 
timent,  like  one  who  would  gladly  be  rid  of  any  pain 
ful,  because  reproachful,  emotion,  he  laid  his  hand 
calmly  on  the  arm  of  his  wife,  and  led  her  directly 
in  front  of  Inez  Pointing  to  the  sweet  countenance 
that  was  beaming  on  her  own,  with  a  look  of  tender 
ness  and  commiseration,  he  paused,  to  allow  his  wife 
to  contemplate  a  loveliness,  which  was  quite  as  ex 
cellent  to  her  ingenuous  mind  as  it  had  proved  dan 
gerous  to  the  character  of  her  faithless  husband. 
When  he  thought  abundant  time  had  passed  to  make 
the  contrast  sufficiently  striking,  he  suddenly  raised 
a  small  mirror,  that  dangled  at  her  breast,  an  orna 
ment  he  had  himself  bestowed  in  an  hour  of  fondness 
as  a  compliment  to  her  beauty,  and  placed  her  OWD 


THE    PRAIRIE.  401 

dark  image  in  its  place.  Wrapping  his  robe  again 
about  him,  the  Teton  motioned  to  the  trapper  to  fol 
low,  and  stalked  haughtily  from  the  lodge,  muttering, 
as  he  went — 

"Mahtoree  is  very  wise  !  What  nation  has  so  great 
a  chief  as  the  Dahcotahs  ?" 

Tachechana  stood  for  a  minute,  as  if  frozen  into 
a  statue  of  humility.  Her  mild  and  usually  joyous 
countenance  worked,  as  though  the  struggle  within 
was  about  to  dissolve  the  connexion  between  her 
soul  and  that  more  material  part  whose  deformity 
was  becoming  so  loathsome.  Inez  and  Ellen  were 
utterly  ignorant  of  the  nature  of  her  interview  with 
her  husband,  though  the  quick  and  sharpened  wits  of 
the  latter  led  her  to  suspect  a  truth,  to  which  the  en 
tire  innocence  of  the  former  furnished  no  clue. 
They  were  both,  however,  about  to  tender  those 
sympathies,  which  are  so  natural  to,  and  so  graceful 
in  the  sex,  when  their  necessity  seemed  suddenly  to 
cease.  The  convulsions  in  the  features  of  the  young 
Sioux  disappeared,  and  her  countenance  became  cold 
and  rigid,  like  chiselled  stone.  A  single  expression 
of  subdued  anguish,  which  had  made  its  impression 
on  a  brow  that  had  rarely  before  contracted  with  sor 
row,  alone  remained.  It  was  never  removed,  in  all 
the  changes  of  seasons,  fortunes,  and  years,  which, 
in  the  vicissitudes  of  a  suffering,  female,  savage  life, 
she  was  subsequently  doomed  to  endure.  As  in  the 
case  of  a  premature  blight,  let  the  plant  quicken  and 
revive  as  it  may,  the  effects  of  that  withering  touch 
were  always  present. 

Tachechana  first  stripped  her  person  of  every 
vestige  of  those  rude  but  highly  prized  ornaments, 
which  the  liberality  of  her  husband  had  been  wont 
to  lavish  on  her,  and  she  tendered  them  meekly,  and 
without  a  murmur,  as  an  offering  to  the  superiority 
of  Inez.  The  bracelets  were  forced  from  her  wrists, 
the  complicated  mazes  of  beads  from  her  leggings, 
2L2 


402  THE    PRAIRIE. 

and  the  broad  silver  band  from  her  brow.  Then  she 
paused,  long  and  painfully.  But  it  would  seem,  that 
the  resolution,  she  had  once  adopted,  was  not  to  be 
conquered  by  the  lingering  emotions  of  any  affection, 
however  natural.  The  boy  himself  was  next  laid  at 
the  feet  of  her  supposed  rival,  and  well  might  the 
self  abased  wife  of  the  Teton  believe  that  the  burden 
of  her  sacrifice  was  now  full. 

While  Inez  and  Ellen  stood  regarding  these  several 
strange  movements  with  eyes  of  wonder,  a  low  soft 
musical  voice  was  heard  saying  in  a  language,  that  to 
them  was  unintelligible — 

"  A  strange  tongue  will  tell  my  boy  the  manner  to 
become  a  man.  He  will  hear  sounds  that  are  new. 
but  he  will  learn  them,  and  forget  the  voice  of  his 
mother.  It  is  the  will  of  the  Wahcondah,  and  a 
Sioux  girl  should  not  complain.  Speak  to  him  softly, 
for  his  ears  are  very  little ;  when  he  is  big,  your 
words  may  be  louder.  Let  him  not  be  a  girl,  for 
very  sad  is  the  life  of  a  woman.  Teach  him  to  keep 
his  eyes  on  the  men.  Show  him  how  to  strike  them 
that  do  him  wrong,  and  let  him  never  forget  to  return 
blow  for  blow.  When  he  goes  to  hunt,  the  flower  of 
the  Pale-faces,"  she  concluded,  using  in  bitterness  the 
metaphor  which  had  been  supplied  by  the  imagina 
tion  of  her  truant  husband,  "  will  whisper  softly  in 
his  ears  that  the  skin  of  his  mother  was  red,  and  that 
she  was  once  the  Fawn  of  the  Dahcotahs." 

Tachechana  pressed  a  kiss  on  the  lips  of  her  son, 
and  then  withdrew  to  the  farther  side  of  the  lodge. 
Here  she  drew  her  light  calico  robe  over  her  head, 
and  took  her  seat,  in  token  of  her  humility,  on  the 
naked  earth.  All  the  efforts  of  her  companions,  to 
attract  her  attention,  were  fruitless.  She  neither 
heard  their  remonstrances,  nor  felt  their  gentle  touch. 
Once  or  twice  her  voice  rose,  in  a  sort  of  wailing 
song,  from  beneath  her  quivering  mantle,  but  it  never 
mounted  into  the  full  wildness  of  savage  music.  In 


THE    PRAIRIE.  403 

this  manner  she  remained  unseen  for  hours,  while 
events  were  occurring  without  the  lodge,  which  not 
only  materially  changed  the  complexion  of  her  own 
fortunes,  but  left  a  lasting  and  deep  impression  on 
the  future  movements  of  the  wandering  Sioux  tribe. 


CHAPTEE  XXVII. 

"  I'll  no  swaggerers  :  I  am  in  good  name  and  fame  with  the  very 
best: — Shut  the  door; — There  come  no  swaggerers  here:  I  have  not 
lived  all  this  while,  to  have  swaggering  now : — shut  the  door  I  pray  you." 

Shakspeare 

MAHTOREE  encountered,  at  the  door  of  his  lodge, 
the  persons  of  Ishmael,  Abiram,  and  Esther.  The 
first  glance  of  his  eye,  at  the  earnest  and  threaten 
ing  countenance  of  the  heavy-moulded  squatter, 
served  to  tell  the  cunning  Teton,  that  the  treacher 
ous  truce  he  had  made,  with  these  dupes  of  his  su 
perior  sagacity,  was  in  some  danger  of  a  violent 
termination. 

"  Look  you  here,  old  gray-beard,"  said  Ishmael, 
seizing  the  trapper,  and  whirling  him  round  as  though 
he  had  been  a  toy;  "  that  I'm  tired  of  carrying  on  a 
discourse  with  fingers  and  thumbs,  instead  of  a  tongue, 
ar'  a  natural  fact;  so  you'll  play  linguister  and  put 
my  words  into  up-and-down  Indian,  without  much 
caring  whether  they  suit  the  stomach  of  a  Red-skin 
or  not." 

"  Say  on,  friend,"  calmly  returned  the  trapper , 
4  they  shall  be  given  as  plainly  as  you  send  them." 

"  Friend !"  repeated  the  squatter,  eyeing  the  othei 
for  an  instant,  with  an  expression  of  an  indefinable 
meaning.  "  But  it  is  no  more  than  a  word,  and 
sounds  break  no  bones  and  survey  no  farms.  Tell 


404  THE    PRAIRIE. 

this  thieving  Sioux,  then,  that  I  come  to  claim  the 
conditions  of  our  solemn  bargain,  made  at  the  foot 
of  the  rock." 

When  the  trapper  had  rendered  his  meaning  into 
the  Sioux  language,  Mahtoree  demanded,  with  an  air 
of  surprise — 

"  Is  my  brother  cold?  buffaloe  skins  are  plenty.  Is 
he  hungry?  Let  my  young  men  carry  venison  into 
his  lodges." 

The  squatter  elevated  his  clenched  fist  in  a  mena 
cing  manner,  and  struck  it  with  violence  on  the  palm 
of  his  open  hand,  by  way  of  confirming  his  determina 
tion  as  he  answered — 

"  Tell  the  deceitful  liar,  I  have  not  come  like  a 
beggar  to  pick  his  bones,  but  like  a  freeman  asking 
for  his  own  ;  and  have  it  I  will.  And,  moreover,  tell 
him  I  claim  that  you,  too,  miserable  sinner  as  you 
ar',  should  be  given  up  to  justice.  There's  no  mis 
take.  My  prisoner,  my  niece,  and  you.  I  demand 
the  three  at  his  hands,  according  to  a  sworn  agree 
ment." 

The  immoveable  old  man  smiled,  with  an  expres 
sion  of  singular  intelligence,  as  he  answered — 

"  Friend  squatter,  you  ask  what  Te%  men  would  be 
willing  to  grant.  You  would  first  cut  the  tongue 
from  the  mouth  of  the  Teton,  and  then  the  heart 
from  his  bosom." 

"  It  is  little  that  Ishmael  Bush  regards  who  or  what 
is  damaged  in  claiming  his  own.  But  put  you  the 
questions  in  straight-going  Indian,  and  when  you 
speak  of  yourself,  make  such  a  sign  as  a  white  man 
will  understand,  in  order  that  I  may  know  there  is  no 
foul  play." 

The  trapper  laughed  in  his  silent  fashion,  and 
muttered  a  few  words  to  himself  before  he  addressed 
the  chief — 

'•  Let  the  Dahcotan  open  his  ears  very  wide,"  he 


THE   PRAIRIE.  405 

then  said,  "  that  big  words  may  have  room  to  enter. 
His  friend  the  Big-knife  comes  with  an  empty  hand, 
and  he  says  that  the  Teton  must  fill  it." 

"  Wagh !  Mahtoree  is  a  rich  chief.  He-is  master  of 
the  prairies." 

"  He  must  give  the  dark  hair." 

The  brow  cf  the  chief  contracted  in  an  ominous 
frown,  that  threatened  instant  destruction  to  the  auda 
cious  squatter,  but  as  suddenly  recollecting  his  policy, 
he  craftily  replied  with  a  treacherous  smile — 

"  A  girl  is  too  light  for  the  hand  of  such  a  brave.  I 
will  fill  it  with  buffaloes." 

"  He  says  he  has  need  of  the  light-hair  too  ;  who  has 
his  blood  in  her  veins." 

"  She  shall  be  the  wife  of  Mahtoree ;  then  the  Long- 
knife  will  be  the  father  of  a  chief." 

"And  me,"  continued  the  trapper,  making  one  of 
those  expressive  signs,  by  which  the  natives  communi 
cate  with  nearly  the  same  facility  as  with  their  tongues, 
and  turning  to  the  squatter  at  the  same  time,  in  order 
that  the  latter  might  see  he  dealt  fairly  by  him  ;  "  he 
asks  for  a  miserable  and  worn  out  trapper." 

The  Dahcotah  threw  his  arm  over  the  shoulder  of  the 
old  man,  with  an  air  of  great  affection,  before  he  re 
plied  to  this  third  and  last  demand. 

"  My  friend  is  old,"  he  said.  "  and  cannot  travel  far. 
He  will  stay  with  the  Tetons,  that  they  may  learn  wis 
dom  from  his  words.  What  Sioux  has  a  tongue  like  my 
father !  No,  let  his  words  be  very  soft,  but  let  them 
be  very  clear.  Mahtoree  will  give  skins  and  buffaloes. 
He  will  give  the  young  men  of  the  Pale-faces  wives, 
but  he  cannot  give  away  any  who  live  in  his  own 
lodge." 

Perfectly  satisfied  himself,  with  this  laconic  reply,  the 
chief  was  moving  towards  his  expecting  counsellors, 
when  suddenly  returning  he  interrupted  the  translation 
of  the  trapper  by  adding — 

"Tell  the   Great  Buffaloe"   (a  name  by  which  the 


406  THE    PRAIRIE. 

Tetons  had  already  christened  Ishmael,)  "  that  Mah- 
toree  has  a  hand  which  is  always  open  See,"  he 
added,  pointing  to  the  hard  and  wrinkled  visage  of 
the  attentive  Esther,  "  his  wife  is  too  old,  for  so  great 
a  chief.  Let  him  put  her  out  of  his  lodge.  Mahto- 
ree  loves  him  as  a  brother.  He  is  his  brother.  He 
shall  have  the  youngest  wife  of  the  Teton.  Tache- 
chana,  the  pride  of  the  Sioux  girls,  shall  cook  his 
venison,  and  many  braves  will  look  at  him  with  long 
ing  minds.  Go,  a  Dahcotah  is  generous." 

The  singular  coolness,  with  which  the  Teton  con 
cluded  this  audacious  proposal,  confounded  even  the 
practised  trapper.  He  stared  after  the  retiring  form 
of  the  Indian,  with  an  astonishment  he  did  not  care 
to  conceal,  nor  did  he  renew  his  attempt  at  inter 
pretation,  until  the  person  of  Mahtoree  was  blended 
with  the  cluster  of  warriors  who  had  so  long,  and 
with  so  characteristic  a  patience,  awaited  his  return. 

"  The  Teton  chief  has  spoken  very  plainly,"  the 
old  man  then  continued;  "  he  will  not  give  you  the 
lady,  to  whom  the  Lord  in  Heaven  knows  you  have 
no  claim,  unless  it  be  such  as  the  wolf  has  to  the 
lamb.  He  will  not  give  you  the  child,  you  call  your 
niece ;  and  therein  I  acknowledge  that  I  am  far  from 
certain  he  has  the  same  justice  on  his  side.  More 
over,  neighbour  squatter,  he  flatly  denies  your  de 
mand  for  me,  miserable  and  worthless  as  I  am ;  nor 
do  I  think  he  has  been  unwise  in  so  doing  seeing  that 
I  should  have  many  particular  reasons  against  jour 
neying  far  in  your  company.  But  he  makes  you  an 
offer,  which  it  is  right  and  convenient  you  should 
know.  The  Teton  says  through  me,  who  am  no 
more  than  a  mouth-piece,  and  therein  not  answer 
able  for  the  sin  of  his  words,  but  he  says,  as  this 
good  woman  is  getting  past  the  comely  age,  it  is  rea 
sonable  for  you  to  tire  of  such  a  wife.  He  therefore 
tells  you  to  turn  her  out  of  your  lodge,  and  when  it 
is  empty  he  will  send  his  own  favourite,  or  rather 


THE  PRAIRIE.  407 

she  that  was  his  favourite,  the  "  Skipping  Fawn,"  as 
the  Siouxes  call  her,  to  fill  her  place.  You  see3 
neighbour,  though  the  Red-skin  is  so  minded  as  to 
keep  your  property,  he  is  willing  to  give  you  where 
withal  to  make  yourself  some  return  !" 

Ishmael  listened  to  these  replies  to  his  several  de 
mands  with  that  species  of  gathering  indignation,  with 
which  the  dullest  tempers  mount  into  the  most  vio 
lent  paroxysms  of  rage.  He  even  affected  to  laugh 
at  the  conceit  of  exchanging  his  long-tried  Esther  for 
the  more  flexible  support  of  the  youthful  Tache- 
chana,  though  his  voice  was  hollow  and  unnatural  in 
the  effort.  But  Esther  was  far  from  giving  the  pro 
posal  so  facetious  a  reception.  Lifting  her  voice  to 
its  peculiarly  audible  key,  she  broke  forth,  after 
catching  her  breath  like  one  who  had  been  in  some 
imminent  danger  of  strangulation,  as  follows — 

"  Hoity-toity ;  who  set  an  Indian  up  for  a  maker 
arid  breaker  of  the  rights  of  wedded  wives !  Does  he 
think  a  woman  is  a  beast  of  the  prairie,  that  she  is 
to  be  chased  from  a  village  by  dog  and  gun.  Let  the 
bravest  squaw  of  them  all  come  forth  and  boast  of 
her  doings ;  can  she  show  such  a  brood  as  mine.  A 
wicked  tyrant  is  that  thieving  Red-skin,  and  a  bold 
rogue  I  warrant  me.  He  would  be  captain  in-doors 
as  well  as  out !  An  honest  woman  is  no  better  in  his 
eyes  than  one  of  your  broomstick  jumpers.  And 
you,  Ishmael  Bush,  the  father  of  seven  sons  and  so 
many  comely  daughters,  to  open  your  sinful  mouth, 
except  to  curse  him  !  Would  ye  disgrace  colour,  and 
family,  and  nation,  by  mixing  white  blood  with  red, 
and  would  ye  be  the  parent  of  a  race  of  mules  !  The 
devil  has  often  tempted  you,  my  man,  but  never  be 
fore  has  he  set  so  cunning  a  snare  as  this.  Go  back 
among  your  children,  friend  ;  go,  and  remember  that 
you  are  not  a  prowling  bear,  but  a  Christian  man, 
and  thank  God  that  you  ar'  a  lawful  husband  1" 

The  clamour  of  Esther  was  anticipated  by  the  ju- 


408  THE    PRAIRIE. 

dicious  trapper.  He  had  easily  foreseen  that  her 
meek  temper  would  overflow  at  so  scandalous  a  pro 
posal  as  repudiation,  and  he  now  profited  by  the 
tempest,  to  retire  to  a  place  where  he  was  at  least 
safe  from  any  immediate  violence  on  the  part  of  her 
less  excited,  but  certainly  more  dangerous  husband. 
Ishmael,  who  had  made  his  demands  with  a  stout  de 
termination  to  enforce  them,  was  diverted  by  the 
windy  torrent,  like  many  a  more  obstinate  husband, 
from  his  purpose,  and  in  order  to  appease  a  jealousy, 
that  resembled  the  fury  with  which  the  bear  defends 
her  cubs,  was  fain  to  retire  to  a  distance  from  the 
lodge,  that  was  known  to  contain  the  unoffending 
object  of  the  sudden  uproar. 

"  Let  your  copper-coloured  minx  come  forth,  and 
shew  her  tawney  beauty  before  the  face  of  a  woman 
who  has  heard  more  than  one  church  bell,  and  seen 
a  power  of  real  quality,"  cried  Esther,  flourishing  her 
hand  in  triumph,  as  she  drove  Ishmael  and  Abiram 
before  her,  like  two  truant  boys,  towards  their  own 
encampment.  "  I  warrant  me,  I  warrant  me,  here  is 
one  who  would  shortly  talk  her  down  !  Never  think 
to  tarry  here,  my  men ;  never  think  to  shut  an  eye  in 
a  camp,  through  which  the  devil  walks  as  openly  as 
if  he  were  a  gentleman,  and  was  sure  of  his  welcome. 
Here,  you  Abner,  Enoch,  Jesse,  where  ar'  ye  gotten 
to.  Put  to,  put  to;  if  that  weak-minded,  soft-feeling 
man,  your  father,  eats  or  drinks  again  in  this  neigh 
bourhood,  we  shall  see  him  poisoned  with  the  craft 
of  the  Red-skins.  Not  that  I  care,  I,  who  comes  into 
my  place,  when  it  is  once  lawfully  empty,  but,  Ish 
mael,  I  never  thought  that  you,  who  have  had  one 
woman  with  a  white  skin,  would  find  pleasure  in 
looking  on  a  brazen — ay,  that  she  is  copper  ar1  a 
fact;  you  can't  deny  it,  and  I  warrant  me,  brazen 
enough  is  she  too !" 

Against  this  ebullition  of  wounded  female  pride, 
the  experienced  husband  made  no  other  head,  than 


THE  PRAIRIE.  409 

by  an  occasional  exclamation,  which  he  intended  to 
be  the  precursor  of  a  simple  asseveration  of  his  own 
innocence.  The  fury  of  the  woman  would  not  be 
appeased.  She  listened  to  nothing  but  her  own  voice, 
and  consequently  nothing  was  heard  but  her  mandates 
to  depart. 

The  squatter  had  collected  his  beasts  and  loaded 
his  wagons,  as  a  measure  of  precaution,  before  pro 
ceeding  to  the  extremity  he  had  contemplated.  Esther 
consequently  found  every  thing  favourable  to  her 
wishes.  The  young  men  stared  at  each  other,  as 
they  witnessed  the  extraordinary  excitement  of  their 
mother,  but  took  little  interest  in  an  event  which, 
in  the  course  of  their  experience,  had  found  so  many 
parallels.  By  command  of  their  father,  the  tents  also 
were  quickly  thrown  into  the  vehicles,  as  a  sort  of 
reprisal  for  the  wrant  of  faith  in  their  late  ally,  and 
then  the  train  left  the  spot,  in  its  usual  listless  and 
sluggish  order. 

As  a  formidable  division  of  well  armed  borderers 
protected  the  rear  of  the  retiring  party,  the  Siouxes 
saw  it  depart  without  manifesting  the  smallest  evi 
dence  of  surprise  or  resentment.  The  savage,  like 
the  tiger,  rarely  makes  his  attack  on  an  enemy  who 
expects  him ;  and  if  the  warriors  of  the  Tetons  medi 
tated  any  hostility,  it  was  in  the  still  and  patient 
manner  with  which  the  feline  beasts  watch  for  the 
incautious  moment  in  their  victims,  in  order  to  ensure 
the  blow.  The  councils  of  Mahtoree,  however,  on 
whom  so  much  of  the  policy  of  his  people  depended, 
lay  deep  in  the  depository  of  his  own  thoughts.  Per 
haps  he  rejoiced  in  so  easy  a  manner  of  getting  rid 
of  claims  so  troublesome;  perhaps  he  awaited  a  fitting 
time  to  exhibit  his  power;  or  it  even  might  be,  that 
matters  of  so  much  greater  importance  were  pressing 
on  his  mind,  that  it  had  not  leisure  to  devote  any  of 
its  faculties  to  an  event  of  so  much  indifference. 

But  it  would  seem  that  while  Ishmael  made  such 
2M 


410  THE    PRAIRIE. 

a  concession  to  the  awakened  feelings  of  Esther,  he 
was  far  from  so  easily  abandoning  his  original  inten 
tions.  His  train  followed  the  course  of  the  river  for 
a  mile,  and  then  it  came  to  a  halt  on  the  brow  of  the 
elevated  land,  and  in  a  place  which  afforded  the  ne 
cessary  facilities.  Here  he  again  pitched  his  tents, 
unharnessed  his  teams,  sent  his  cattle  on  the  bottom, 
and,  in  short,  made  all  the  customary  preparations 
to  pass  the  night,  with  the  same  coolness  and  delibe 
ration  as  though  he  had  not  just  hurled  an  irritating 
defiance  into  the  very  teeth  of  his  dangerous  neigh 
bours. 

In  the  mean  time  the  Tetons  proceeded  to  the 
more  regular  business  of  the  hour.  A  fierce  and 
savage  joy  had  existed  in  the  camp,  from  the  instant 
when  it  had  been  announced  that  their  own  chief 
was  returning  with  the  long-dreaded  and  hated  parti 
san  of  their  enemies.  For  many  hours  the  crones  of 
the  tribe  had  been  going  from  lodge  to  lodge,  in  order 
to  stimulate  the  tempers  of  the  warriors  to  such  a  pass 
as  might  leave  but  little  room  for  the  considerations 
of  mercy.  To  one  they  spoke  of  a  son,  whose  scalp 
was  drying  in  the  smoke  of  a  Pawnee  lodge.  To 
another,  they  enumerated  his  own  scars,  his  disgraces, 
and  defeats ;  with  a  third,  they  dwelt  on  his  losses  of 
skins  and  horses,  and  a  fourth  was  reminded  of  ven 
geance,  by  a  significant  question,  concerning  some 
flagrant  adventure,  in  which  he  was  known  to  have 
been  a  sufferer. 

By  these  means  the  men  had  been  so  far  excited 
as  to  have  assembled,  in  the  manner  already  related, 
though  it  still  remained  a  matter  of  doubt  how  far 
they  intended  to  carry  their  revenge.  A  variety  ol 
opinions  prevailed  on  the  policy  of  executing  their 
prisoners,  arid  Mahtoree  had  suspended  the  discus 
sions,  in  order  to  ascertain  how  far  the  measure  might 
propitiate  or  retard  his  own  particular  views.  Hith 
erto  the  consultations  had  merely  been  preliminary, 


THE    PRAIRIE.  411 

with  a  view  that  each  chief  might  discover  the  num 
ber  of  supporters  his  view  of  the  agitated  question 
would  be  likely  to  obtain,  when  the  important  sub 
ject  should  come  before  a  more  solemn  council  of 
the  tribe.  The  moment  for  the  latter  had  now  ar 
rived,  and  the  preparations,  to  assemble  it,  were  made 
with  a  dignity  and  solemnity  suited  to  the  momentous 
interests  of  the  occasion. 

With  a  refinement  in  cruelty,  that  none  but  an 
Indian  would  have  imagined,  the  place,  selected  for 
this  grave  deliberation,  was  immediately  about  the 
post  to  which  the  most  important  of  its  subjects  was 
attached.  Middleton  and  Paul  were  brought  in  their 
bonds,  and  laid  at  the  feet  of  the  Pawnee ;  and  then 
the  men  began  to  take  their  places,  according  to  their 
several  claims  to  distinction.  As  warrior  after  war 
rior  approached,  he  seated  himself  in  the  wide  circle, 
with  a  mien  as  composed  and  thoughtful,  as  though 
his  mind  were  actually  in  a  condition  to  deal  out 
justice,  tempered,  as  it  should  be,  with  the  heavenly 
quality  of  mercy.  A  place  was  reserved  for  three  or 
four  of  the  principal  chiefs,  and  a  few  of  the  oldest 
of  the  women,  as  withered  as  age,  exposure,  hard 
ships,  and  lives  of  savage  passions  could  make  them, 
thrust  themselves  into  the  foremost  circle,  with  a 
temerity,  to  which  they  were  impelled  by  their  in 
satiable  desire  for  cruelty,  and  which  nothing,  but 
their  years  and  their  long  tried  fidelity  to  the  nation, 
would  have  excused. 

All,  but  the  chiefs  already  named,  were  now  in 
their  places.  These  had  delayed  their  appearance, 
in  the  vain  hope  that  their  own  unanimity  might 
smooth  the  way  to  that  of  their  respective  factions ; 
for,  notwithstanding  the  superior  influence  of  Mah- 
toree,  his  power  was  to  be  maintained  only  by  con 
stant  appeals  to  the  opinions  of  his  inferiors.  As 
these  important  personages  at  length  entered  the  cir 
cle  in  a  body,  their  sullen  looks  and  clouded  brows, 


412  THE    PRAIRIE. 

notwithstanding  the  time  given  to  consultation,  suffi 
ciently  proclaimed  the  discontent  which  reigned 
among  them.  The  eye  of  Mahtoree  was  varying  in 
its  expression,  from  sudden  gleams,  that  seemed  to 
kindle  with  the  burning  impulses  of  his  soul,  to  that 
cold  and  guarded  steadiness,  which  was  thought  more 
peculiarly  to  become  a  chief  in  council.  He  took 
his  seat,  with  the  studied  simplicity  of  a  demagogue; 
though  the  keen  and  flashing  glance,  that  he  imme 
diately  threw  around  the  silent  assembly,  betrayed 
the  more  predominant  temper  of  a  tyrant. 

When  all  were  present,  an  aged  warrior  lighted  the 
great  pipe  of  his  people,  and  blew  the  smoke  towards 
the  four  quarters  of  the  heavens.  So  soon  as  this 
propitiatory  offering  was  made,  he  tendered  it  to 
Mahtoree,  who,  in  affected  humility,  passed  it  to  a 
gray-headed  chief  by  his  side.  After  the  influence 
of  the  soothing  weed  had  been  courted  by  all,  a  grave 
silence  succeeded,  as  if  each  was  not  only  qualified 
to,  but  actually  did,  think  more  deeply  on  the  matters 
before  them.  Then  an  old  Indian  arose,  and  spoke 
as  follows — 

"  The  eagle,  at  the  falls  of  the  endless  river,  was 
in  its  egg,  many  snows  after  my  hand  had  struck  a 
Pawnee.  What  my  tongue  says,  my  eyes  have  seen. 
Bohrecheena  is  very  old.  The  hills  have  stood  longer 
in  their  places,  than  he  has  been  in  his  tribe,  and  the 
rivers  were  full  and  empty,  before  he  was  born ,  but 
where  is  the  Sioux  that  knows  it  besides  himself? 
What  he  says,  they  will  hear.  If  any  of  his  words 
fall  to  the  ground,  they  will  pick  them  up  and  hold 
them  to  their  ears.  If  any  blow  away  in  the  wind, 
my  young  men,  who  are  very  nimble,  will  catch 
them.  Now  listen.  Since  water  ran  and  trees  grew, 
the  Sioux  has  found  the  Pawnee  on  his  war-path.  As 
the  cougar  loves  the  antelope,  the  Dahcotah  loves  his 
enemy.  When  the  wolf  finds  the  fawn,  does  he  lie 
down  and  sleep  ?  When  the  panther  sees  the  doe  at 


THE    PRAIRIE.  413 

the  spring,  does  he  shut  his  eyes  ?  You  know  that  he 
does  not.  He  drinks,  too,  but  it  is  of  blood !  A 
Sioux  is  a  leaping  panther,  a  Pawnee  is  a  trembling 
deer.  Let  my  children  hear  me.  They  will  find  my 
words  good.  I  have  spoken." 

A  deep  guttural  exclamation  of  assent  broke  from 
the  lips  of  all  the  partisans  of  Mahtoree,  as  they  lis 
tened  to  the  sanguinary  advice  from  one,  who  was 
certainly  among  the  most  aged  men  of  the  nation. 
That  deeply  seated  love  of  vengeance,  which  formed 
so  prominent  a  feature  in  their  characters,  was  grati 
fied  by  his  metaphorical  allusions,  and  the  chief  him 
self  augured  favourably  of  the  success  of  his  own 
schemes,  by  the  number  of  supporters,  who  manifest 
ed  themselves  to  be  in  favour  of  the  counsels  of  his 
friend.  But  still  unanimity  was  far  from  prevailing. 
A  long  and  decorous  pause  was  suffered  to  succeed 
the  words  of  the  first  speaker,  in  order  that  all  might 
duly  deliberate  on  their  wisdom,  before  another  chief 
took  on  himself  the  office  of  refutation.  The  second 
orator,  though  past  the  prime  of  his  days,  was  far 
less  aged  than  the  one  who  had  preceded  him.  He 
felt  the  disadvantage  of  this  circumstance,  and  en 
deavoured  to  counteract  it,  as  far  as  possible,  by  the 
excess  of  his  humility. 

"  I  am  but  an  infant,"  he  commenced,  looking  fur 
tively  around  him,  in  order  to  detect  how  far  his 
well-established  character  for  prudence  and  courage 
contradicted  his  assertion.  "  I  have  Mved  with  the 
woman,  since  my  father  has  been  a  man.  If  my  head 
is  getting  gray,  it  is  not  because  I  am  old.  Some  of 
the  snow,  which  fell  on  it  while  I  have  been  sleeping 
on  the  war-paths,  has  frozen  there,  and  the  hot  sunv 
near  the  Osage  villages,  has  not  been  strong  enough 
to  melt  it."  A  low  murmur  was  heard,  expressive 
of  admiration  for  those  services  to  which  he  thus  art 
fully  alluded.  The  orator  modestly  awaited  for  the 
feeling  to  subside  a  little,  and  then  he  continued,  with 
2M2 


414  THE    PRAIRIE. 

increasing  energy,  as  though  secretly  encouraged  by 
their  commendations.  "  But  the  eyes  of  a  young 
brave  are  good.  He  can  see  very  far.  He  is  a  lynx. 
Look  at  me  well.  I  will  turn  my  back,  that  you  may 
see  both  sides  of  me.  Now  do  you  know  I  am  your 
friend,  for  you  look  on  a  part  that  a  Pawnee  never 
yet  saw.  Now  look  at  my  face ;  not  in  this  seam, 
for  there  your  eyes  can  never  see  into  my  spirit.  It 
is  only  a  hole  cut  by  a  Konza.  But  here  is  an 
opening  made  by  the  Wahcondah,  through  which 
you  may  look  into  the  soul.  What  am  I?  A  Dah- 
cotah  within  and  without.  You  know  it.  There 
fore  hear  me.  The  blood  of  every  creature  on  the 
prairie  is  red.  Who  can  tell  the  spot  where  a  Paw 
nee  was  struck,  from  the  place  where  my  young 
men  took  a  bison  ?  It  is  of  the  same  colour.  The 
Master  of  Life  made  them  for  each  other.  He 
made  them  alike.  But  will  the  grass  grow  green 
where  a  Pale-face  is  killed  ?  My  young  men  must 
not  think  that  nation  is  so  numerous,  it  will  not  miss 
a  warrior.  They  call  them  over  often,  and  say,  where 
are  my  sons  ?  If  they  miss  one,  they  will  send  into 
the  prairies  to  look  for  him.  If  they  cannot  find  him, 
they  will  tell  their  runners  to  ask  for  him  among  the 
Siouxes.  My  brethren,  the  Big-knives  are  not  fools. 
There  is  a  mighty  medicine  of  their  nation  now 
among  us  ;  who  can  tell  how  loud  is  his  voice,  or  how 
long  is  his  arm  ? — " 

The  speech  of  the  orator,  who  was  beginning  to 
enter  into  his  subject  with  a  suitable  degree  of 
warmth,  was  cut  short  by  the  impatient  Mahtoree, 
who  suddenly  arose  and  exclaimed,  in  a  voice  in 
which  authority  was  mingled  with  contempt,  and  at 
the  close  with  a  keen  tone  of  irony,  also — 

'iLet  my  young  men  lead  the  evil  spirit  of  the 
Pale-faces  to  the  council.  My  brother  shall  see  his 
medicine  face  to  face !" 

A  death-like  and  solemn  stillness  succeeded  this 


THE    PRAIRIE.  415 

extraordinary  interruption.  It  not  only  involved  a 
deep  offence  against  the  sacred  courtesy  of  debate, 
but  the  mandate  was  likely  to  brave  the  unknown 
power  of  one  of  those  incomprehensible  beings, 
whom  few  Indians  were  enlightened  enough  at  that 
day  to  regard  without  reverence,  or  few  hardy  enough 
to  oppose.  The  subordinates,  however,  obeyed,  and 
Obed  was  led  forth  from  a  lodge,  mounted  on  Asinus, 
with  a  ceremony  and  state  which  was  certainly  in 
tended  for  derision,  but  which  nevertheless  was  great 
ly  enhanced  by  fear.  As  they  entered  the  ring,  Mah- 
toree,  who  had  foreseen  and  had  endeavoured  to 
anticipate  the  influence  of  the  Doctor,  by  bringing 
him  into  contempt,  cast  an  eye  around  the  assembly, 
in  order  to  gather  his  success  in  the  various  dark 
visages  by  which  he  was  encircled. 

Truly,  nature  and  art  had  combined  to  produce 
such  an  effect  from  the  air  and  appointments  of  the 
naturalist,  as  might  have  made  him  the  subject  of 
wonder  in  any  place.  His  head  had  been  indus 
triously  shaved  after  the  most  approved  fashion  of 
Sioux  taste.  A  gallant  scalp-lock,  which  would  prob 
ably  have  been  spared,  had  the  Doctor  himself  been 
consulted  in  the  matter,  was  all  that  remained  of  an 
exuberant,  and  at  that  particular  season  of  the  year, 
far  from  uncomfortable  head  of  hair.  Thick  coats 
of  paint  had  been  laid  on  the  naked  poll,  and  certain 
fanciful  designs,  in  the  same  material,  had  even  been 
extended  into  the  neighbourhood  of  the  eyes  and 
mouth,  lending  to  the  naturally  keen  expression  of 
the  former  a  look  of  twinkling  cunning,  and  to  the 
dogmatism  of  the  latter  not  a  little  of  the  grimness 
of  necromancy.  He  had  been  despoiled  of  his  up 
per  garments,  and,  in  their  stead,  his  body  was  suffi 
ciently  protected  from  the  cold  by  a  fantastically 
painted  robe  of  dressed  deer-skin.  As  if  in  mockery 
of  his  pursuit,  sundry  toads,  frogs,  lizards,  butter 
flies,  etc.,  all  duly  prepared  to  take  their  places  at 


416  THE    PRAIRIE. 

some  future  day,  in  his  own  private  cabinet,  were  at 
tached  to  the  solitary  lock  on  his  head,  to  his  ears, 
and  to  various  other  conspicuous  parts  of  his  person. 
If,  in  addition  to  the  effect  produced  by  these  quaint 
auxiliaries  to  his  costume,  we  add  the  portentous  and 
troubled  gleamings  of  doubt,  which  rendered  his 
visage  doubly  austere,  and  proclaimed  the  misgivings 
of  the  worthy  Obed's  mind,  as  he  beheld  his  personal 
dignity  thus  prostrated,  and  what  was  of  far  greater 
moment  in  his  eyes,  himself  led  forth,  as  he  firmly 
believed,  to  be  the  victim  of  some  heathenish  sacri 
fice,  the  reader  will  find  no  difficulty  in  giving  credit 
to  the  sensation  of  awe,  that  was  excited  by  his  ap 
pearance  in  a  band  already  more  than  half-prepared 
to  worship  him  as  a  powerful  agent  of  the  evil  spirit. 

Weucha  led  Asinus  directly  into  the  centre  of  the 
circle,  and  leaving  them  together  (for  the  legs  of  the 
naturalist  were  attached  to  the  beast  in  such  a  man 
ner,  that  the  two  animals  might  be  said  to  be  incor 
porated,  and  to  form  a  new  order,)  he  withdrew  to 
his  proper  place,  gazing  at  the  conjuror,  as  he  retired, 
with  a  wonder  and  admiration,  that  was  natural  to 
the  groveling  dulness  of  his  mind. 

The  astonishment  seemed  mutual  between  the 
spectators  and  the  subject  of  this  strange  exhibition. 
If  the  Tetons  contemplated  the  mysterious  attributes 
of  the  medicine,  with  awe  and  fear,  the  Doctor  gazed 
on  every  side  of  him,  with  a  mixture  of  quite  as  many 
extraordinary  emotions,  in  which  the  latter  sensation, 
however,  formed  no  inconsiderable  ingredient.  Every 
where  his  eyes,  which  just  at  that  moment  possessed 
a  secret  magnifying  quality,  seemed  to  rest  on  several 
•dark,  savage,  and  obdurate  countenances  at  once. 
*rom  none  of  which  could  he  extract  a  solitary  gleam 
of  sympathy  or  commiseration.  At  length  his  wai> 
dering  gaze  fell  on  the  grave  and  decent  features  of 
the  trapper,  who,  with  Hector  at  his  feet,  stood  in  the 
edge  of  the  circle,  leaning  on  that  rifle  which  he  had 


THE    PRAIRIE.  417 

been  permitted,  as  an  acknowledged  friend, to  resume, 
and  apparently  musing  on  the  events  that  were  likely 
to  succeed  a  council  that  was  marked  by  so  many  and 
.such  striking  ceremonies. 

"  Venerable  venator,  or  hunter,  or  trapper,"  said 
the  utterly  disconsolate  Obed,  "  I  rejoice  greatly  in 
meeting  thee  again.  I  fear  that  the  precious  time, 
which  had  been  allotted  me,  in  order  to  complete  a 
mighty  labour,  is  drawing  to  a  premature  close,  and 
I  would  gladly  unburden  my  mind  to  one  who,  if  not 
a  pupil  of  science,  has  at  least  some  of  the  knowledge 
which  civilization  imparts  to  its  meanest  subjects. 
Doubtless  many  and  earnest  enquiries  will  be  made 
after  my  fate,  by  the  learned  societies  of  the  world, 
and  perhaps  expeditions  will  be  sent  into  these  re 
gions  to  remove  any  doubts,  which  may  arise  on  so 
important  a  subject.  I  esteem  myself  happy  that  a 
man,  who  speaks  the  vernacular,  is  present,  to  pre 
serve  the  record  of  my  end.  You  will  say  that  after 
\  well-spent  and  glorious  life,  I  died  a  martyr  to 
science  and  a  victim  to  mental  darkness.  As  I  ex 
pect  to  be  particularly  calm  and  abstracted  in  my  last 
moments,  if  you  add  a  few  details,  concerning  the 
fortitude  and  scholastic  dignity  with  which  I  met  my 
death,  it  may  serve  to  encourage  the  future  aspirants 
for  similar  honours,  and  assuredly  give  offence  to  no 
one.  And  now,  friend  trapper,  as  a  duty  I  owe  to 
numan  nature,  1  will  conclude  by  demanding  if  all 
hope  has  deserted  me,  or  if  any  means  still  exist  by 
which  so  much  valuable  information  may  be  rescued 
from  the  grasp  of  ignorance,  and  preserved  to  the 
pages  of  natural  history." 

The  old  man  lent  an  attentive  ear  to  this  melan- 
choly  appeal,  and  apparently  he  reflected  on  every 
side  of  the  important  question,  before  he  would  pre 
sume  to  answer. 

"  I  take  it,  friend  physicianer,"  he  at  length  gravely 


418  THE    PRAIRIE. 

replied,  "  that  the  chances  of  life  and  death,  in  your 
particular  case,  depend  altogether  on  the  will  of 
Providence,  as  it  may  be  pleased  to  manifest  it, 
through  the  accursed  windings  of  Indian  cunning. 
For  my  own  part,  I  see  no  great  difference  in  the 
main  end  to  be  gained,  inasmuch  as  it  can  matter  no 
one  greatly,  yourself  excepted,  whether  you  live  or 
die." 

"  Would  you  account  the  fall  of  a  corner-stone, 
from  the  foundations  of  the  edifice  of  learning,  a 
matter  of  indifference  to  contemporaries  or  to  pos 
terity  ?"  eagerly  interrupted  the  indignant  Obed. 
"  Besides,  my  aged  associate,"  he  reproachfully 
added,  "  the  interest,  that  a  man  has  in  his  own  ex 
istence,  is  by  no  means  trifling,  however  it  may  be 
eclipsed  by  his  devotion  to  more  general  and  philan 
thropic  feelings." 

"  What  I  would  say  is  this,"  resumed  the  trapper, 
who  was  far  from  understanding  all  the  subtle  dis 
tinctions,  with  which  his  more  learned  companion  so 
often  saw  fit  to  embellish  his  discourse ;  "  there  is  but 
one  birth  and  one  death  to  all  things,  be  it  hound,  or 
be  it  deer;  be  it  red  skin,  or  be  it  white.  Both  are 
in  the  hands  of  the  Lord,  it  being  as  unlawful  for  man 
to  strive  to  hasten  the  one,  as  impossible  to  prevent 
the  other.  But  I  will  not  say  that  something  may 
not  be  done  to  put  the  last  moment  aside,  for  a  while 
at  least,  and  therefore  it  is  a  question,  that  any  one 
has  a  right  to  put  to  his  own  wisdom,  how  far  he  will 
go,  and  how  much  pain  he  will  suffer,  to  lengthen 
out  a  time  that  may  have  been  too  long  already 
Many  a  dreary  winter  and  scorching  summer  has 
gone  by  since  I  have  turned,  to  the  right  hand  or  to 
the  left,  to  add  an  hour  to  a  life  that  has  already 
stretched  beyond  fourscore  years.  I  keep  myself  as 
ready  to  answer  to  my  name  as  a  soldier  at  evening 
roll-call.  In  my  judgment,  if  your  cases,  a^e  left  to 


THE    PRAIRIE.  419 

Indian  tempers,  the  policy  of  the  Great  Sioux  will 
lead  his  people  to  sacrifice  you  all ;  nor  do  I  put 
much  dependence  on  his  seeming  love  for  me ;  there 
fore  it  becomes  a  question  whether  you  are  ready  for 
such  a  journey ;  and  if,  being  ready,  whether  this  is 
not  as  good  a  time  to  start  as  another.  Should  my 
opinion  be  asked,  thus  far  will  I  give  it  in  your  fa 
vour;  that  is  to  say,  it  is  my  belief  your  life  has 
been  innocent  enough,  touching  any  great  offences 
that  you  may  have  committed,  though  honesty  com 
pels  me  to  add,  that  I  think  all  you  can  lay  claim 
to,  on  the  score  of  activity  in  deeds,  will  not  amount 
to  any  thing  worth  naming  in  the  great  account." 

Obed  turned  a  rueful  eye  on  the  calm,  philosophic 
countenance  of  the  other,  as  he  answered  with  so 
discouraging  a  statement  of  his  case,  clearing  his 
throat,  as  he  did  so,  in  order  to  conceal  the  despe 
rate  concern  which  began  to  beset  his  faculties,  with 
a  vestige  of  that  pride,  which  rarely  deserts  poor  hu 
man  nature,  even  in  the  greatest  emergencies. 

u  I  believe,  venerable  hunter,"  he  replied,  "  con 
sidering  the  question  in  all  its  several  bearings,  and 
assuming  that  your  theory  is  just,  it  will  be  the  safest 
to  conclude  that  I  am  not  prepared  to  make  so  hasty 
a  departure,  and  that  measures  of  precaution  should 
be.  forthwith,  resorted  to." 

"  Being  in  that  mind,"  returned  the  deliberate 
trapper,  "  I  will  act  for  you  as  I  would  for  myself, 
though  as  time  has  begun  to  roll  down  the  hill  with 
you,  I  will  just  advise  that  you  look  to  your  case 
speedily,  for  it  may  so  happen  that  your  name  will 
be  heard,  when  quite  as  little  prepared  to  answer  to 
it  as  now." 

With  this  amicable  understanding,  the  old  man 
drew  back  again  into  the  ring,  where  he  stood  mus 
ing  on  the  course  he  should  now  adopt,  with  the 
singular  mixture  of  decision  and  resignation  that  pro- 


420 


THE    PRAIRIE. 


ceeded  from  his  habits  and  his  humility,  and  which 
united  to  form  a  character,  in  which  excessive  en 
ergy,  and  the  most  meek  submission  to  the  will  of 
Providence,  were  oddly  enough  combined. 


CHAPTER  XXVHI. 

"  The  witch,  m  Smithfield,  shall  be  burned  to  ashes, 
And  you  three  shall  be  strangled  on  the  gallows." 

Shakspeare. 

THE  Siouxes  had  awaited  the  issue  of  the  forego 
ing  dialogue  with  commendable  patience.  Most  of 
the  band  were  restrained,  by  the  secret  awe  with 
which  they  regarded  the  mysterious  character  of 
Obed ;  while  a  few  of  the  more  intelligent  chiefs 
gladly  profited  by  the  opportunity,  to  arrange  their 
thoughts  for  the  struggle  that  was  now  too  plainly 
foreseen.  Mahtoree,  influenced  by  neither  of  these 
feelings,  was  content  to  show  the  trapper  how  much 
he  conceded  to  his  pleasure ;  and  when  the  old  man 
discontinued  the  discourse,  he  received  from  the 
chief  a  glance,  that  was  intended  to  remind  him  of 
the  patience,  with  which  he  had  awaited  his  move 
ments.  A  profound  and  motionless  silence  succeeded 
the  short  interruption.  Then  Mahtoree  arose,  evi 
dently  prepared  to  speak.  First  placing  himself  in 
an  attitude  of  dignity,  he  turned  a  steady  and  severe 
look  on  the  whole  assembly.  The  expression  of  his 
eye,  however,  changed  as  it  glanced  across  the  differ 
ent  countenances  of  his  supporters  and  of  his  oppo 
nents.  To  the  former  the  look,  though  stern,  was 
not  threatening,  while  it  seemed  to  tell  the  latter  all 
the  hazaids  they  incurred  in  daring  to  brave  the  re 
sentment  of  one  so  powerful. 


THE    PRAIRIE.  421 

Still,  in  the  midst  of  so  much  hauteur  and  confi 
dence,  the  sagacity  and  cunning  of  the  Teton  did  riot 
desert  him.  When  he  had  thus  thrown  the  gauntlet, 
as  it  were,  to  the  whole  tribe,  and  sufficiently  assert 
ed  his  claim  to  superiority,  his  mien  became  more 
affable  and  his  eye  less  angry.  Then  it  was  that  he 
raised  his  voice,  in  the  midst  of  a  death-like  stillness, 
varying  its  tones  to  suit  the  changing  character  of 
his  images,  and  of  his  eloquence. 

"  What  is  a  Sioux  ?"  the  chief  sagaciously  began  ; 
"  he  is  ruler  of  the  prairies,  and  master  of  its  beasts. 
The  fishes  in  the  '  river  of  troubled  waters '  know 
him,  and  come  at  his  call.  He  is  a  fox  in  counsel ; 
an  eagle  in  sight;  a  grizzly  bear  in  combat.  A  Dah- 
cotah  is  a  man  !*'  After  waiting  for  the  low  murmur 
of  approbation,  which  followed  this  flattering  portrait 
of  his  people  to  subside,  the  Teton  continued — 
What  is  a  Pawnee  ?  A  thief  who  only  steals  from 
women ;  a  Red-skin  who  is  not  brave ;  a  hunter  that 
begs  for  his  venison.  In  counsel  he  is  a  squirrel, 
hopping  from  place  to  place  ;  he  is  an  owl,  that  goes 
on  the  prairies  at  night;  in  battle  he  is  an  elk,  whose 
legs  are  long.  A  Pawnee  is  a  woman."  Another 
pause  succeeded,  during  which  a  yell  of  delight 
broke  from  several  mouths,  and  a  demand  was  made, 
that  the  taunting  words  should  be  translated  to  the 
unconscious  subject  of  their  biting  contempt.  The 
old  man  took  his  cue  from  the  eyes  of  Mahtoree,  and 
complied.  Hard-Heart  listened  gravely,  and  then, 
as  if  apprized  that  his  time  to  speak  had  not  arrived, 
he  once  more  bent  his  look  on  the  vacant  air.  The 
orator  watched  his  countenance,  with  an  expression 
that  manifested  how  inextinguishable  was  the  hatred 
he  felt  for  the  only  chief,  far  and  near,  whose  fame 
might  advantageously  be  compared  with  his  own. 
Though  disappointed  in  not  having  touched  the  pride 
of  one  whom  he  regarded  as  a  boy,  he  proceeded, 
2N 


422  THE    PRAIRIE. 

what  he  considered  as  far  more  important,  to  quick 
en  the  tempers  of  the  men  of  his  own  tribe,  in  order 
that  they  might  he  prepared  to  work  his  savage  pur 
poses.  "  If  the  earth  was  covered  with  rats,  which 
are  good  for  nothing,"  he  said,  "  there  would  be  no 
room  for  buffaloes,  which  give  food  and  clothes  to 
an  Indian.  If  the  prairies  were  covered  with  Paw 
nees,  there  would  be  no  room  for  the  foot  of  a  Dah- 
cotah.  A  Loup  is  a  rat,  a  Sioux  a  heavy  buffaloe ; 
let  the  buffaloes  tread  upon  the  rats  and  make  room 
for  themselves. 

"  My  brothers,  a  little  child  has  spoken  to  you. 
He  tells  you,  his  hair  is  not  gray,  but  frozen — that 
the  grass  will  not  grow  where  a  Pale-face  has  died ! 
Does  he  know  the  colour  of  the  blood  of  a  Big- 
knife  ?  No  1  1  know  he  does  not ;  he  has  never  seen 
it.  What  Dahcotah,  besides  Mahtoree,  has  ever 
struck  a  Pale-face  ?  Not  one.  But  Mahtoree  must 
be  silent.  Every  Teton  will  shut  his  ears  when  he 
speaks.  The  scalps  over  his  lodge  were  taken  by 
the  women.  They  were  taken  by  Mahtoree,  and  he 
is  a  woman.  His  mouth  is  shut ;  he  waits  for  the 
feasts  to  sing  among  the  girls  !" 

Notwithstanding  the  exclamations  of  regret  and 
resentment,  which  followed  so  abasing  a  declaration, 
the  chief  took  his  seat,  as  if  determined  to  speak  no 
more.  But  as  the  murmurs  grew  louder  and  more 
general,  and  there  were  threatening  symptoms  that 
the  council  would  dissolve  itself  in  confusion,  he 
arose  and  resumed  his  speech,  by  changing  his  man 
ner  to  the  fierce  and  hurried  enunciation  of  a  war 
rior  bent  on  revenge. 

"  Let  my  young  men  go  look  for  Tetao !"  he 
cried ;  "  they  will  find  his  scalp,  drying  in  Pawnee 
smoke.  Where  is  the  son  of  Boreecheena?  His 
bones  are  whiter  than  the  faces  of  his  murderers.  Is 
Mahhah  asleep  in  his  lodge  ?  You  know  it  is  make 


THE    PRAIRIE.  423 

moons  since  he  started  for  the  blessed  prairies ; 
would  he  were,  here,  that  he  might  say  of  what 
colour  was  the  hand  that  took  his  scalp  ! " 

In  this  strain  the  artful  chief  continued  for  many 
minutes,  calling  those  warriors  by  name,  who  were 
known  to  have  met  their  deaths  in  battle  with  the 
Pawnees,  or  in  some  of  those  lawless  frays  which  so 
often  occurred  between  the  Sioux  bands  and  a  class 
of  white  men,  who  were  but  little  removed  from  them 
in  the  qualities  of  civilization.  Time  was  not  given 
to  reflect  on  the  merits,  or  rather  the  demerits,  of 
most  of  the  different  individuals  to  whom  he  alluded, 
in  consequence  of  the  rapid  manner  in  which  he  run 
over  their  names,  but  so  cunningly  did  he  time  his 
events,  and  so  thrilling  did  he  make  his  appeals,  aided 
as  they  were  by  the  power  of  his  deep-toned  and 
stirring  voice,  that  each  of  them  struck  an  answering 
chord  in  the  breast  of  some  one  of  his  auditors. 

It  was  in  the  midst  of  one  of  his  highest  flights  of 
eloquence,  that  a  man,  so  aged  as  to  walk  with  the 
greatest  difficulty,  entered  the  very  centre  of  the  circle, 
and  took  his  stand  directly  in  front  of  the  speaker. 
An  ear  of  great  acuteness  might  possibly  have  de 
tected  that  the  tones  of  the  orator  faltered  a  little,  as 
his  flashing  look  first  fell  on  this  unexpected  object, 
though  the  change  was  so  trifling,  that  none,  but  such 
as  thoroughly  knew  the  parties,  would  have  suspected 
it.  The  stranger  had  once  been  as  distinguished  for 
his  beauty  and  proportions,  as  had  been  his  eagle  eye 
for  its  irresistible  and  terrible  glance.  But  his  skin 
was  now  wrinkled,  and  his  features  furrowed  with  so 
many  scars,  as  to  have  obtained  for  him,  half  a  cen 
tury  before,  from  the  French  of  the  Canadas,  a  title 
which  has  been  borne  by  so  many  of  the  heroes  of 
France,  and  which  had  now  been  adopted  into  the 
language  of  the  wild  horde  of  whom  we  are  writing, 
as  the  one  most  expressive  of  the  deeds  of  their  own 
brave.  The  murmur  of  Le  Balafre,  that  ran  through 


424  THE  PRAIRIE. 

the  assembly  when  he  appeared,  announced  not  only 
his  name  and  the  high  estimation  of  his  character, 
but  how  extraordinary  his  visit  was  considered.  As 
he  neither  spoke  nor  moved,  however,  the  sensation 
created  by  his  appearance  soon  subsided,  and  then 
every  eye  was  again  turned  upon  the  speaker,  and 
every  ear  once  more  drunk  in  the  intoxication  of  his 
maddening  appeals. 

It  would  have  been  easy  to  have  traced  the  tri 
umph  of  Mahtoree,  in  the  reflecting  countenances  of 
his  auditors.  It  was  not  long  before  a  look  of  fero 
city  and  of  revenge  was  to  be  seen  seated  on  the 
grim  visages  of  most  of  the  warriors,  and  each  new 
and  crafty  allusion  to  the  policy  of  extinguishing  their 
enemies,  was  followed  by  fresh  and  less  restrained 
bursts  of  approbation.  In  the  height  of  this  success 
the  Teton  closed  his  speech  by  a  rapid  appeal  to  the 
pride  and  hardihood  of  his  native  band,  and  suddenly 
took  his  seat. 

In  the  midst  of  the  murmurs  of  applause,  which 
succeeded  so  remarkable  an  effort  of  eloquence,  a 
low,  feeble,  and  hollow  voice  was  heard  rising  on 
the  ear,  as  though  it  rolled  from  the  inmost  cavities 
of  the  human  chest,  and  gathered  strength  and  energy 
as  it  issued  into  the  air.  A  solemn  stillness  followed 
the  sounds,  and  then  the  lips  of  the  aged  man  were 
first  seen  to  move. 

"  The  day  of  Le  Balafre  is  near  its  end,"  were 
the  first  words  that  were  distinctly  audible.  "  He  is 
like  a  buffaloe,  on  whom  the  hair  will  grow  no  longer. 
He  will  soon  be  ready  to  leave  his  lodge,  to  go  in 
search  of  another,  that  is  far  from  the  villages  of  the 
Siouxes ;  therefore,  what  he  has  to  say  concerns  not 
him,  but  those  he  leaves  behind  him.  His  words  are 
like  the  fruit  on  the  tree,  ripe  and  fit  to  be  given  to 
the  chiefs. 

"Many  snows  have  fallen  since  Le  Balafre  has 
been  found  on  the  war-path.  His  blood  has  been  very 


THE  PRAIRIE. 


425 


hot,  but  it  has  had  time  to  cool.  The  Wahcondah 
gives  him  dreams  of  war  no  longer ;  he  sees  that  it  is 
better  to  live  in  peace. 

"My  brothers,  one  foot  is  turned  to  the  happy 
hunting-grounds,  the  other  will  soon  follow,  and  then 
an  old  chief  will  be  seen  looking  for  the  prints  of 
his  father's  moccasins,  that  he  may  make  no  mis 
take,  but  be  sure  to  come  before  the  Master  of  Life, 
by  the  same  path,  as  so  many  good  Indians  have  al 
ready  travelled.  But  who  will  follow?  Le  Balafre 
has  no  son.  His  oldest  has  ridden  too  many  Pawnee 
horses ;  the  bones  of  the  youngest  have  been  gnawed 
by  Konza  dogs !  Le  Balafre  has  come  to  look  for  a 
young  arm,  on  which  he  may  lean,  and  to  find  a  son, 
that  when  he  is  gone  his  lodge  may  not  be  empty. 
Tachechana,  the  skipping  fawn  of  the  Tetons,  is  too 
weak,  to  prop  a  warrior,  who  is  old.  She  looks  before 
her  and  not  backwards.  Her  mind  is  in  the  lodge 
of  her  husband.1' 

The  enunciation  of  the  veteran  warrior  had  been 
calm,  but  distinct  and  decided.  His  declaration  was 
received  in  silence,  and  though  several  of  the  chiefs, 
who  were  in  the  counsels  of  Mahtoree,  turned  their 
eyes  on  Aeir  leader,  none  presumed  to  oppose  so 
aged  and  so  venerated  a  brave  in  a  resolution  that 
was  strictly  in  conformity  to  the  usages  of  the  nation. 
The  Teton  himself  was  content  to  await  the  result 
with  seeming  composure,  though  the  gleams  of  fero 
city,  that  played  about  his  eye,  occasionally  betrayed 
the  nature  of  those  feelings,  with  which  he  witnessed 
a  procedure,  that  was  likely  to  rob  him  of  that  one 
of  all  his  intended  victims  whom  he  most  hated. 

In  the  mean  time  Le  Balafre  moved  with  a  slow 
and  painful  step  towards  the  captives.  He  stopped 
before  the  person  of  Hard-Heart,  whose  faultless 
form,  unchanging  eye,  and  lofty  mien,  he  contem 
plated  long,  with  high  and  evident  satisfaction.  Then 
making  a  gesture  of  authority,  he  awaited,  until  his 
2N2 


420 


TIIK     I'RAIRIK. 


order  had  been  obeyed,  and  (he  youth  was  released 
from  the  post  and  his  bonds,  by  the  same  blow  of  the 
knife.  When  the  young  warrior  was  led  nearer  to 
his  dimmed  and  failing  sight,  (he,  examination  was 
renewed,  with  all  that  strictness  of  scrutiny  and  ad 
miration,  which  physical  excellence  is  so  apt  to  excite 
in  the  In-cast  of  a  savage. 

tk  1 1  is  good,11  the  wary  veteran  at  length  murmured, 
win  n  he  found  that  all  his  skill  in  the  requisites  of  a 
brave,  eonld  detect  no  blemish;  "this  is  a  leaping 
panther!  I  )ocs  my  son  speak  with  the  tongue  of  a 

Tetonf11 

The  intelligence,  which  lighted  the  eyes  of  the 
captive,  betrayed  how  well  he  understood  the  ques 
tion,  but  still  he  was  far  too  haughty  to  communicate 
his  ideas  through  the.  medium  of  a  language  that  be 
longed  to  a  hostile  people.  Some  o(  the  surrounding 
warriors  explained  to  the  old  rhief,  that  the;  captive 
was  a  I'awnee-Lonp. 

"  My  son  opened  his  eyes  on  the,  l  waters  of  the 
wolves,'"  said  Le  I'alafre,  in  the  language  of  that 
nation,  "but.  he  will  shut  them  in  the,  bend  of  the 
'river  with  a  troubled  stream.'  He  was  born  a 
I'awnee,  but  he.  will  die  a  Dahcolah.  Look  at  me. 
I  am  a  sycamore,  that  once  covered  many  with  my 
shadow.  The.  leaves  are  fallen,  and  the.  branches 
begin  to  drop.  But  a  single  sucker  is  springing 
from  my  roots;  it.  is  a  little  vine,  and  it  winds  itself 
about  a  tree  that  is  green.  I  have  long  looked  for 
one  lit  to  grow  by  my  side.  Now  have  I  found  it. 
Le  Halafre  is  no  longer  without  a  son;  his  name  \vill 
not  be  forgotten  when  he  is  gone  !  Men  of  the.  Tctons, 
I  take  this  youth  into  my  lodge.11 

No  one  was  bold  enough  to  dispute  a  right,  that 
had  so  often  been  exercised  by  warriors  far  inferior 
to  the  present  speaker,  and  the  adoption  was  listened 
to,  in  a  grave  and  respectful  silence.  I  ,e  Halafn: 
took  his  intended  son  by  the  arm,  and  leading  him 


THE  PRAIRIE.  427 

into  the  very  centre  of  the  circle,  he  stepped  aside 
with  an  air  of  triumph,  in  order  that  the  spectators 
migbt  approve  of  bis  choice.  Mahtorec  betrayed  no 
evidence  of  Ins  intentions,  but  rather  seemed  to  await 
a  moment  better  suited  to  the  crafty  policy  of  his 
character.  The  more  experienced  and  sagacious 
chiefs  distinctly  foresaw  the  utter  impossibility  of  two 
partisans  so  renowned,  so  hostile,  and  who  had  so 
long  been  rivals  in  fame  as  their  prisoner  and  their 
native  leader,  existing  amicably  in  the  same  tribe. 
Still  the  character  of  Lc  Balafre  was  so  imposing, 
and  the  custom  to  which  he  had  resorted  so  sac  red, 
that  none  dared  to  lift  a  voice  in  opposition  to  the 
measure.  They  watched  the  result  with  increasing 
interest,  but  with  a  coldness  of  demeanour  that  con 
cealed  the  nature  of  their  inquietude.  From  this 
state  of  embarrassment,  and  as  it  might  readily  have 
proved  of  disorganization,  the  tribe;  was  unexpectedly 
relieved  by  the  decision  of  the  one  most  interested  in 
the  success  of  the  aged  chiefs  designs. 

During  the  whole  of  the  foregoing  scene,  it  would 
have  been  difficult  to  have  traced  a  single  distinct 
emotion  in  the  lineaments  of  the  captive,  lie  had 
heard  his  release  proclaimed,  with  the  same  indiflcr- 
encc  as  the  order  to  bind  him  to  the  stake.  But  now, 
that  the  moment  had  arrived  when  it  became  neces 
sary  to  make  Ins  election,  he  spoke  in  a  way  to  prove 
that  the  fortitude,  which  had  bought  him  so  distin 
guished  a  name,  had  in  no  degree  deserted  him. 

"  My  father  is  very  old,  but  he  has  not  yet  looked 
upon  everything,11  said  Hard-Heart,  io  a  voice  so 
clear  as  to  be  heard  by  all  in  presence.  "lie  has 
never  seen  a  bnllaloe  change  to  a  bat.  lie  will  never 
see  a  Pawnee  become  a  Sioux !" 

The. re  was  a  suddenness,  and  yet  a  calmness  in 
the  manner  of  delivering  this  decision,  which  assured 
most  of  the  auditors  that  it  was  unalterable.  The 
heart  of  Le  Balafre,  however,  was  yearning  towards 
the  youth,  and  the  fondness  of  age  was  not  so  readily 


428  THE    PRAIRIE. 

repulsed.  Reproving  the  burst  of  admiration  and 
triumph,  which  the  boldness  of  the  declaration,  and 
the  freshened  hopes  of  revenge  had  given  rise  to,  by 
turning  his  gleaming  eye  around  the  band,  the  veteran 
again  addressed  his  adopted  child,  as  though  his  pur 
pose  was  not  to  be  denied. 

"  It  is  well,"  he  said;  "  such  are  the  words  a  brave 
should  use,  that  the  warriors  might  see  his  heart. 
The  day  has  been  when  the  voice  of  Le  Balafre  was 
loudest  among  the  lodges  of  the  Konzas.  But  the 
root  of  a  white  hair  is  wisdom.  My  child  will  show 
the  Tetons  that  he  is  brave,  by  striking  their  ene 
mies.  Men  of  the  Dahcotahs  this  is  my  son  !" 

The  Pawnee  hesitated  a  moment,  and  then  step 
ping  in  front  of  the  chief,  he  took  his  hard  and 
wrinkled  hand,  and  laid  it  with  reverence  on  his  head, 
as  if  to  acknowledge  the  extent  of  his  obligation. 
Then  recoiling  a  step,  he  raised  his  person  to  its 

Greatest  elevation,  and  looked  upon  the  hostile  band, 
y  whom  he  was  environed,  with  an  air  of  loftiness 
and  disdain,  as  he  spoke  aloud,  in  the  language  of 
the  Siouxes — 

"  Hard-Heart  has  looked  at  himself  within  and 
without.  He  has  thought  of  all  he  has  done  in  the 
hunts  and  in  the  wars.  Every  where  he  is  the  same. 
There  is  no  change.  He  is  in  all  things  a  Pawnee. 
He  has  struck  so  many  Tetons  that  he  could  never 
eat  in  their  lodges.  His  arrows  would  fly  backwards ; 
the  point  of  his  lance  would  be  on  the  wrong  end  ; 
their  friends  would  weep  at  every  whoop  he  gave ; 
their  enemies  would  laugh.  Do  the  Tetons  know  a 
Loup  ?  Let  them  look  at  him  again.  His  head  is 
painted,  his  arm  is  flesh,  but  his  heart  is  rock.  When 
the  Tetons  see  the  sun  come  from  the  Rocky  Moun 
tains,  and  move  towards  the  land  of  the  Pale-faces, 
the  mind  of  Hard-Heart  will  soften,  and  his  spirit 
will  become  Sioux.  Until  that  day  he  will  live  and 
die  a  Pawnee." 

A  yell  of  delight,  in  which  admiration  and  ferocity 


THE    PRAIRIE.  429 

were  fearfully  mingled,  interrupted  the  speaker,  and 
but  too  clearly  announced  the  character  of  his  fate. 
The  captive  awaited  a  moment,  for  the  commotion 
to  subside,  and  then  turning  again  to  Le  Balafre  he 
continued,  in  tones  far  more  conciliating  and  kind,  as 
if  he  felt  the  propriety  of  softening  his  refusal  in  a 
manner  not  to  wound  the  pride  of  one  who  would  so 
gladly  be  his  benefactor. 

"  Let  my  father  lean  heavier  on  the  fawn  of  the 
Dahcotahs,"  he  said.  "  She  is  weak  now,  but  as  her 
lodge  fills  with  young,  she  will  be  stronger.  See," 
he  added,  directing  the  eyes  of  the  other  to  the  ear 
nest  countenance  of  the  attentive  trapper ;  "  Hard- 
Heart  is  not  without  a  gray-head  to  show  him  the 
path  to  the  blessed  prairies.  If  he  ever  has  another 
father,  it  shall  be  that  just  warrior." 

Le  Balafre  turned  away  in  disappointment  from 
the  youth,  and  approached  the  stranger,  who  had 
thus  anticipated  his  design.  The  examination  be 
tween  these  two  aged  men  was  long,  mutual,  and 
curious.  It  was  not  easy  to  detect  the  real  character 
of  the  trapper  through  the  mask  which  the  hardships 
of  so  many  years  had  laid  upon  his  features,  espe 
cially  when  aided  by  his  wild  and  peculiar  attire. 
Some  moments  elapsed  before  the  Teton  spoke,  and 
then  it  was  in  doubt  whether  he  addressed  one  like 
himself  or  some  wanderer  of  that  race  who,  he  had 
heard,  were  spreading  themselves,  like  hungry  locusts, 
throughout  the  land. 

"  The  head  of  my  brother  is  very  white,"  he  said, 
"  but  the  eye  of  Le  Balafre  is  no  longer  like  the 
eagle's.  Of  what  colour  is  his  skin  ?" 

"  The  Wahconcah  made  me  like  these  you  see 
waiting  for  a  Dahcotah  judgment ;  but  fair  and  foul 
has  coloured  me  darker  than  the  skin  of  a  fox.  What 
of  that!  Though  the  bark  is  ragged  and  riven,  the 
heart  of  the  tree  is  sound  !" 

"  My  brother  is  a  Big-knife !     Let  him  turn  his 


430  THE    PRAIRIE. 

face  towards  the  setting  sun,  and  open  his  eyes.  Does 
he  see  the  salt  lake  beyond  the  mountains  ?" 

"  The  time  has  been,  Teton,  when  few  could  see 
the  white  on  the  eagle's  head  farther  than  I;  but  the 
glare  of  fourscore  and  seven  winters  has  dimmed  my 
eyes,  and  but  little  can  I  boast  of  sight  in  ray  latter 
days.  Does  the  Sioux  think  a  Pale-face  is  a  god 
that  he  can  look  through  the  hills ! " 

"  Then  let  my  brother  look  at  me.  I  am  nigh  him, 
/  and  he  can  see  that  I  am  but  a  foolish  Red-man. 
/  Why  cannot  his  people  see  every  thing,  since  they 
I  crave  all." 

r*"^**  I  understand  you,  chief;  nor  will  I  gainsay  the 
justice  of  your  words,  seeing  that  they  are  too  much 
founded  in  truth.     But  though  born  of  the  race  you 
bve  so  little,  my  worst  enemy,  not  even  a  lying 
Mingo,  would  dare  to  say  that  1  ever  laid  hands  on 
I  the  goods  of  another,  except  such  as  were  taken  in 
I  manful  warfare,  or  that  I  ever  coveted  more  ground 
jthan  the  Lord  has  intended  each  man  to  fill." 
^— "  And  yet  my  brother  has  come  among  the  Red 
skins  to  find  a  son  ?" 

The  trapper  laid  a  finger  on  the  naked  shoulder 
of  Le  Balafre,  and  looked  into  his  scarred  counte 
nance  with  a  wistful  and  confidential  expression,  as 
he  answered — 

"  Ay ;  but  it  was  only  that  I  might  do  good  to  the 
boy.  If  you  think,  Dahcotah,  that  I  adopted  the 
youth  in  order  to  prop  my  age,  you  do  as  much  in 
justice  to  my  good-will,  as  you  seem  to  know  little  of 
the  marciless  intentions  of  your  own  people.  I  have 
made  him  my  son,  that  he  may  know  that  one  is  left 
behind  him — Peace,  Hector,  peace!  is  this  decent, 
pup,  when  gray-heads  are  counselling  together,  to 
break  in  upon  their  discourse  with  the  whinings  of  a 
hound !  The  dog  is  old,  Teton,  and  though  well 
taught  in  respect  of  behaviour,  he  is  getting,  like  our 
selves,  i  fancy,  something  forgetful  of  the  fashions  of 
his  youth/1 


THE   PRAIRIE.  431 

Further  discourse  between  these  veterans  was  in 
terrupted  by  a  discordant  yell,  which  burst  at  that 
moment  from  the  lips  of  the  dozen  withered  crones, 
who  have  already  been  mentioned  as  having  forced 
themselves  into  a  conspicuous  part  of  the  circle. 
The  outcry  was  excited  by  a  sudden  change  in  the 
air  of  Hard-Heart.  When  the  old  men  turned  to 
wards  the  youth,  they  saw  him  standing  in  the  very 
centre  of  the  ring,  with  his  head  erect,  his  eye  fixed  on 
vacancy,  one  leg  advanced  and  an  arm  a  little  raised, 
as  if  all  his  faculties  were  absorbed  in  the  act  of 
listening.  A  smile  lighted  his  countenance  for  a 
single  moment,  and  then  the  whole  man  sunk  again 
into  his  former  look  of  dignity  and  coldness,  as 
though  suddenly  recalled  to  self-possession.  The 
movement  had  been  construed  into  contempt,  and 
even  the  tempers  of  the  chiefs  began  to  be  excited. 
Unable  to  restrain  their  fury,  the  women  broke  into 
the  circle  in  a  body,  and  commenced  their  attack  by 
loading  the  captive  with  the  most  bitter  revilings. 
They  boasted  of  the  various  exploits,  which  their 
sons  had  achieved  at  the  expense  of  the  different 
tribes  of  the  Pawnees.  They  undervalued  his  own 
reputation,  and  told  him  to  look  at  Mahtoree,  if  he 
had  never  yet  seen  a  warrior.  They  accused  him 
of  having  been  suckled  by  a  doe,  and  of  having  drunk 
in  cowardice  with  his  mother's  milk.  In  short,  they 
lavished  upon  their  unmoved  captive  a  torrent  of  that 
vindictive  abuse,  in  which  the  women  of  the  savages 
are  so  well  known  to  excel,  but  which  has  been  too 
often  described  to  need  a  repetition  here. 

The  effect  of  this  outbreaking  was  inevitable.  Le 
Balafre  turned  away  disappointed,  and  hid  himself  in 
the  crowd,  while  the  trapper,  whose  honest  features 
were  working  with  his  inward  emotions,  pressed 
nigher  to  his  young  friend,  as  those  who  are  linked 
to  the  criminal,  by  ties  so  strong  as  to  brave  the 
opinions  of  men,  are  often  seen  to  stand  about  the 
place  of  execution  to  support  his  dying  moments. 


432  THE    PRAIRIE. 

The  excitement  soon  spread  among  the  inferior  war 
riors,  though  the  chiefs  still  forebore  to  make  the  sig 
nal,  which  committed  the  victim  to  their  mercy. 
Mahtoree,  who  had  awaited  such  a  movement  among 
his  fellows,  with  the  wary  design  of  concealing  his 
own  jealous  hatred,  soon  grew  weary  of  delay,  and, 
by  a  glance  of  his  eye,  encouraged  the  tormentors  tc 
proceed. 

Weucha,  who,  eager  for  this  sanction,  had  long 
stood  watching  the  countenance  of  the  chief,  bounded 
forward  at  the  signal  like  a  blood-hound  loosened 
from  the  leash.  Forcing  his  way  into  the  centre  of 
the  hags,  who  were  already  proceeding  from  abuse 
to  violence,  he  reproved  their  impatience  and  bade 
them  wait,  until  a  warrior  had  begun  to  torment,  and 
then  they  should  see  their  victim  shed  tears  like  a 
woman. 

The  heartless  savage  commenced  his  efforts  by 
flourishing  his  tomahawk  about  the  head  of  the  cap 
tive,  in  such  a  manner  as  to  give  reason  to  suppose, 
that  each  blow  would  bury  the  weapon  in  the  flesh, 
while  it  was  so  governed  as  not  to  touch  the  skin.  To 
this  customary  expedient  Hard-Heart  was  perfectly 
insensible.  His  eye  kept  the  same  steady,  riveted 
look  on  the  air,  though  the  glittering  axe  described, 
in  its  evolutions,  a  bright  circle  of  light  before  his 
countenance.  Frustrated  in  this  attempt,  the  callous 
Sioux  laid  the  cold  edge  on  the  naked  head  of  his 
victim,  and  began  to  describe  the  different  manners, 
in  which  a  prisoner  might  be  flayed.  The  women 
kept  time  to  his  cruelties  with  their  taunts,  and  en 
deavoured  to  force  some  expression  of  the  lingerings 
of  nature  from  the  insensible  features  of  the  Pawnee. 
But  he  evidently  reserved  himself  for  the  chiefs,  and 
for  those  moments  of  extreme  anguish,  when  the  lofti 
ness  of  his  spirit  might  evince  itself  in  a  manner  better 
becoming  his  high  and  untarnished  reputation. 

The  eyes  of  the  trapper  followed  every  movement 
of  the  tomahawk,  with  the  interest  of  a  real  father, 


THE    PRAIRIE.  433 

until  at  length,  unable  to  command  his  indignation, 
he  exclaimed — 

"My  son  has  forgotten  his  cunning.  This  is  a 
low-minded  Indian,  and  one  easily  hurried  into  folly. 
I  cannot  do  the  thing  myself,  for  my  traditions  forbid 
a  dying  warrior  to  revile  his  persecutors,  but  the 
gifts  of  a  Red-skin  are  different.  Let  the  Pawnee 
say  the  bitter  words  and  purchase  an  easy  death.  1 
will  answer  for  his  success,  provided  he  speaks  be 
fore  the  grave  men  set  their  wisdom  to  back  the  folly 
of  this  fool." 

The  savage  Sioux,  who  heard  his  words  without 
comprehending  their  meaning,  turned  to  the  speaker, 
and  menaced  him  with  instant  death  for  his  temerity. 

"Ay,  work  your  will,"  said  the  unflinching  old 
man ;  "  I  am  as  ready  now  as  I  shall  be  to-morrow. 
Though  it  would  be  a  death  that  an  honest  man 
might  not  wish  to  die.  Look  at  that  noble  Pawnee. 
Teton,  and  see  what  a  Red-skin  may  become,  who 
fears  the  Master  of  Life  and  follows  his  laws.  How 
many  of  your  people  has  he  sent  to  the  distant  prai 
ries,"  he  continued,  in  a  sort  of  pious  fraud,  thinking, 
that  while  the  danger  menaced  himself,  there  could 
surely  be  no  sin  in  extolling  the  merits  of  another ; 
"how  many  howling  Siouxes  has  he  struck,  like  a 
warrior  in  open  combat,  while  arrows  were  sailing 
in  the  air  plentier  than  flakes  of  falling  snow.  Go  ! 
will  Weucha  speak  the  name  of  one  enemy  he  has 
ever  struck?" 

"  Hard-Heart !"  shouted  the  Sioux,  turning  in  his 
fury,  and  aiming  a  deadly  blow  at  the  head  of  his 
victim.  His  arm  fell  into  the  hollow  of  the  captive's 
hand.  For  a  single  moment  the  two  stood  as  though 
entranced  in  that  attitude,  the  one  paralyzed  by  so 
unexpected  a  resistance,  and  the  other  bending  his 
head,  not  to  meet  his  death,  but  in  the  act  of  the 
most  intense  attention.  The  women  screamed  with 
triumph,  for  they  thought  the  nerves  of  the  captive 


434  THE    PRAIRIE. 

had  at  length  failed  him.  The  trapper  trembled  for 
the  honour  of  his  friend,  and  Hector,  as  if  conscious 
of  what  was  passing,  raised  his  nose  into  the  air,  and 
uttered  a  piteous  howl. 

But  the  Pawnee  hesitated  only  for  that  moment 
Raising  the  other  hand,  like  lightning,  the  tomahawk 
flashed  in  the  air,  and  Weucha  sunk  to  his  feet, 
brained  to  the  eye.  Then  cutting  a  way  with  the 
bloody  weapon,  he  darted  through  the  opening,  left 
by  the  frightened  women,  and  seemed  to  descend  the 
declivity  at  a  single  bound. 

Had  a  bolt  from  Heaven  fallen  in  the  midst  of  the 
Teton  band  it  would  not  have  occasioned  greater 
consternation  than  this  act  of  desperate  hardihood. 
A  shrill  plaintive  cry  burst  from  the  lips  of  all  the 
women,  and  there  was  a  moment,  that  even  the  old 
est  warriors  appeared  to  have  lost  their  faculties. 
This  stupor  endured  only  for  the  instant.  It  was 
succeeded  by  a  yell  of  revenge,  that  burst  from  a 
hundred  throats,  while  as  many  warriors  started  for 
ward  at  the  cry,  bent  on  the  most  bloody  retribution. 
But  a  powerful  and  authoritative  call  from  Mahtoree 
arrested  every  foot.  The  chief,  in  whose  counte 
nance  disappointment  and  rage  were  struggling  with 
the  affected  composure  of  his  station,  extended  an 
arm  towards  the  river  and  the  whole  mystery  was 
explained. 

Hard-Heart  had  already  crossed  near  half  the  bot 
tom,  which  lay  between  the  acclivity  and  the  water. 
At  this  precise  moment  a  band  of  armed  and  mounted 
Pawnees  turned  a  swell,  and  galloped  to  the  margin 
of  the  stream,  into  which  the  plunge  of  the  fugitive 
was  now  distinctly  heard.  A  few  minutes  sufficed 
for  his  vigorous  arm  to  conquer  the  passage,  and 
then  the  shout  from  the  opposite  shore  told  the  hum 
bled  Tetons  the  whole  extent  of  the  triumph  of  their 
adversaries. 


THE    PRAIRIE.  436 


CHAPTER  XXIX. 

•*  If  that  shepherd  be  not  in  hand-fast,  let  him  fly ;  the  curses  he  shall 
have,  the  tortures  he  shall  feel,  will  break  the  back  of  man,  the  heait 
of  monster." 

Shakspeare. 

IT  will  readily  be  seen  that  the  event  just  related 
was  attended  by  an  extraordinary  sensation  among 
the  Siouxes.  In  leading  the  hunters  of  the  band  back 
to  the  encampment,  their  chief  had  neglected  none  of 
the  customary  precautions  of  Indian  prudence,  in 
order  that  his  trail  might  escape  the  eyes  of  his  ene 
mies.  It  would  seem,  however,  that  the  Pawnees 
had  not  only  made  the  dangerous  discovery,  but  had 
managed  with  great  art  to  draw  nigh  the  place  by 
the  only  side  on  which  it  was  thought  unnecessary  to 
guard  the  approaches  with  the  usual  line  of  senti 
nels.  The  latter,  who  were  scattered  along  the 
different  little  eminences  which  lay  in  the  rear  of 
the  lodges,  were  among  the  last  to  be  apprized  of 
the  danger. 

In  such  a  crisis  there  was  little  time  for  delibera 
tion.  It  was  by  exhibiting  the  force  of  his  character 
in  scenes  of  similar  difficulty,  that  Mahtoree  had  ob 
tained  and  strengthened  his  ascendancy  among  his 
people,  nor  did  he  seem  likely  to  lose  it  by  the  mani 
festation  of  any  indecision  on  the  present  occasion. 
In  the  midst  of  the  screams  of  the  young,  the  shrieks 
of  the  women,  and  the  wild  bowlings  of  the  crones, 
which  were  sufficient  of  themselves  to  have  created 
a  chaos  in  the  thoughts  of  one  less  accustomed  to  act 
in  emergencies,  he  promptly  asserted  his  authority, 
issuing  his  orders  with  the  coolness  of  a  veteran. 

While  the  warriors  were  arming,  the  boys  were 
despatched  to  the  bottom  for  the  horses.  The  tents 
were  hastily  struck  by  the  women,  and  disposed  of 


436  THE    PRAIRIE 

on  such  of  the  beasts  as  were  not  deemed  fit  to  be 
trusted  in  combat.  The  infants  were  cast  upon  the 
backs  of  their  mothers,  and  those  children,  who  were 
of  a  size  to  march,  were  driven  to  the  rear,  like  a 
herd  of  less  reasoning  animals.  Though  these  several 
movements  were  made  amid  outcries,  and  a  clamour, 
that  likened  the  place  to  another  Babel,  they  were 
executed  with  incredible  alacrity  and  intelligence. 

In  the  mean  time  Mahtoree  neglected  no  duty  that 
belonged  to  his  responsible  station.  From  the  ele 
vation,  on  which  he  stood,  he  could  command  a  per 
fect  view  of  the  force  and  evolutions  of  the  hostile 
party.  A  grim  smile  lighted  his  visage,  when  he 
found  that,  in  point  of  numbers,  his  own  band  was 
greatly  the  superior.  Notwithstanding  this  advan 
tage,  however,  there  were  other  points  of  inequality, 
which  would  probably  have  a  tendency  to  render  his 
success,  in  the  approaching  conflict,  exceedingly 
doubtful.  His  people  were  the  inhabitants  of  a 
more  northern  and  less  hospitable  region  than  their 
enemies,  and  were  far  from  being  rich  in  that  spe 
cies  of  property,  horses  and  arms,  which  constitutes 
the  most  highly  prized  wealth  of  a  western  Indian. 
The  band  in  view  was  mounted  to  a  man,  and  as  it 
had  come  so  far  to  rescue,  or  to  revenge,  their  great 
est  partisan,  he  had  no  reason  to  doubt  its  being 
composed  entirely  of  braves.  On  the  other  hand, 
many  of  his  followers  were  far  better  in  a  hunt  than 
in  a  combat ;  men  who  might  serve  to  divert  the 
attention  of  his  foes,  but  from  whom  he  could  expect 
little  desperate  service.  Still  his  flashing  eye  glanced 
over  a  body  of  warriors  on  whom  he  had  often  relied, 
and  who  had  never  deceived  him,  and  tl  ough,  in  the 
precise  position  in  which  he  found  himst  If,  he  felt  no 
disposition  to  precipitate  the  conflict,  he  certainly 
would  have  had  no  intention  to  avoid  it,  had  not  the 
presence  of  his  women  and  children  placed  the  option 
altogether  in  the  power  of  his  adversaries. 


THE    PRAIRIE.  437 

On  the  other  hand,  the  Pawnees,  so  unexpectedly 
successful  in  their  first  and  greatest  object,  manifested 
no  intention  to  drive  matters  to  an  issue.  The  river 
was  a  dangerous  barrier  to  pass  in  the  face  of  a  deter 
mined  foe,  and  it  would  now  have  been  in  perfect 
accordance  with  their  cautious  policy,  to  have  retired, 
for  a  season,  in  order  that  their  onset  might  be  made 
in  the  hours  of  darkness  and  of  seeming  security. 
But  there  was  a  spirit  in  their  chief  that  elevated 
him,  for  the  moment,  high  above  the  ordinary  expe 
dients  of  savage  warfare.  His  bosom  burned  with 
the  desire  to  wipe  out  that  disgrace,  of  which  he  had 
been  the  subject,  and  it  is  possible,  that  he  believed 
the  retiring  camp  of  the  Siouxes  contained  a  prize, 
that  begun  to  have  a  value  in  his  eyes,  far  exceeding 
any  that  could  be  found  in  fifty  Teton  scalps.  Let 
that  be  as  it  might,  Hard-Heart  had  no  sooner  re 
ceived  the  brief  congratulations  of  his  band,  and 
communicated  to  the  chiefs  such  facts  as  were  im 
portant  to  be  known,  than  he  prepared  himself  to 
act  such  a  part  in  the  coming  conflict,  as  would  at 
once  maintain  his  well-earned  reputation  and  gratify 
his  secret  wishes.  A  led  horse,  one  that  had  been 
long  trained  in  the  hunts,  had  been  brought  to  re 
ceive  his  master,  with  but  little  hope  that  his  services 
would  ever  be  needed  again  in  this  life.  With  a  de 
licacy  and  consideration,  that  proved  how  much  the 
generous  qualities  of  the  youth  had  touched  the  feel 
ings  of  his  people,  a  bow,  a  lance,  and  a  quiver,  were 
thrown  across  the  animal,  which  it  had  been  intended 
to  immolate  on  the  grave  of  the  young  brave ;  a  spe 
cies  of  care  that  would  have  superseded  the  necessity 
for  the  pious  duty  that  the  trapper  had  pledged  him- 
self  to  perform. 

Though  Hard-Heart  was  sensible  of  the  kindness  of 

his  warriors,  and  believed  that  a  chief,  furnished  with 

such  appointments,  might  depart  with  credit  for  the 

distant  hunting-grounds  of  the  Master  of  Life,  he 

2O2 


438  THE    PRAIRIE. 

seemed  equally  disposed  to  think  that  they  might  be 
rendered  quite  as  useful  in  the  actual  state  of  things. 
His  countenance  lighted  with  a  gleam  of  stern  pleas 
ure,  as  he  tried  the  elasticity  of  the  bow,  and  poised 
the  well-balanced  spear.  The  glance  he  bestowed 
on  the  shield  was  more  cursory  and  indifferent,  but 
the  exultation,  with  which  he  threw  himself  on  the 
back  of  his  most  favoured  war-horse  was  sc  great,  aa 
to  break  through  all  the  forms  of  Indian  reserve.  He 
rode  to  and  fro  among  his  scarcely  less  delighted  war 
riors,  managing  the  animal  with  a  grace  and  address 
that  no  artificial  rules  can  ever  supply,  at  times  flour 
ishing  his  lance,  as  if  to  assure  himself  of  his  seat, 
and  at  others  examining  critically  into  the  condition 
of  the  fusee,  with  which  he  had  also  been  furnished, 
with  the  fondness  of  one,  who  was  miraculously  re 
stored  to  the  possession  of  treasures  that  had  ever 
constituted  his  pride  and  his  happiness. 

It  was  at  this  particular  moment  that  Mahtoree, 
having  completed  the  necessary  arrangements,  pre 
pared  to  make  a  more  decisive  movement.  The 
Teton  had  found  no  little  embarrassment  in  disposing 
of  his  captives.  The  tents  of  the  squatter  were  still 
in  sight,  and  his  wary  cunning  did  not  fail  to  apprize 
him,  that  it  was  quite  as  necessary  to  guard  against 
an  attack  from  that  quarter,  as  to  watch  the  motions 
of  his  more  open  and  more  active  foes.  His  first 
impulse  had  been  to  make  the  tomahawk  suffice  for 
the  men,  and  to  trust  the  females  under  the  same 
protection  as  the  women  of  his  band.  But  the  man 
ner,  in  which  many  of  his  braves  continued  to  regard 
the  imaginary  medicine  of  the  Long-knives,  fore 
warned  him  of  the  danger  of  so  hazardous  an  expe 
riment  on  the  eve  of  a  battle.  It  might  be  deemed 
the  omen  of  defeat.  In  this  dilemma  he  motioned 
to  a  superannuated  warrior,  to  whom  he  had  confided 
the  charge  of  the  non-combatants,  and  leading  him 
apart,  he  placed  a  finger  significantly  on  his  shoulder, 


THE    PRAIRIE.  439 

as  he  said  in  a  tone  in  which  authority  was  tempered 
by  confidence — 

"  When  my  young  men  are  striking  the  Pawnees, 
give  the  women  knives.  Enough;  my  father  is  very 
old ;  he  does  not  want  to  hear  wisdom  from  a  boy." 

The  grim  old  savage  returned  a  look  of  ferocious 
assent,  and  then  the  mind  of  the  chief  appeared  to 
be  at  rest  on  this  important  subject,  From  that  mo 
ment  he  bestowed  all  his  care  on  the  achievement 
of  his  revenge  and  the  maintenance  of  his  martial 
character.  Throwing  himself  on  his  horse,  he  made 
a  sign,  with  the  air  of  a  prince  to  his  followers,  to 
imitate  his  example,  interrupting  without  ceremony 
the  war-songs  and  solemn  rites,  by  which  many 
among  them  were  stimulating  their  spirits  to  deeds 
of  daring.  When  all  were  in  order,  the  whole  moved 
with  great  steadiness  and  silence  towards  the  margin 
of  the  river. 

The  hostile  bands  were  now  only  separated  by  the 
water.  The  width  of  the  stream  was  too  great  to 
admit  of  the  use  of  the  ordinary  Indian  missiles,  but 
a  few  useless  shots  were  exchanged  from  the  fusees 
of  the  chiefs,  more  in  bravado  than  with  any  expec 
tation  of  doing  execution.  As  some  time  was  suf 
fered  to  elapse,  in  demonstrations  and  abortive  efforts, 
we  shall  leave  them,  for  that  period,  to  return  to  such 
of  our  characters  as  remained  in  the  hands  of  the 
savages. 

We  have  shed  much  ink  in  vain,  and  wasted  quires, 
that  might  possibly  have  been  better  employed,  if 
it  be  necessary  now  to  tell  the  reader  that  few  of 
the  foregoing  movements  escaped  the  observation  of 
the  experienced  trapper.  He  had  been,  in  common 
with  the  rest,  astonished  at  the  sudden  act  of  Hard- 
Heart,  and  there  was  a  single  moment,  when  a  feel 
ing  of  regret  and  mortification  got  the  better  of  his 
longings  to  save  the  life  of  the  youth.  The  simple 
and  well-intentioned  old  man  would  have  felt,  at 


440  THE    PRAIRIE. 

witnessing  any  failure  of  firmness  on  the  part  of  a 
warrior,  who  had  so  strongly  excited  his  sympathies, 
the  same  species  of  sorrow  that  a  Christian  parent 
would  suffer  in  hanging  over  the  dying  moments  of 
an  impious  child.  But  when,  instead  of  an  impotent 
and  unmanly  struggle  for  existence,  he  found  that  his 
friend  had  forborne,  with  the  customary  and  dignified 
submission  of  an  Indian  warrior,  until  an  opportunity 
had  offered  to  escape,  and  that  he  had  then  mani 
fested  the  spirit  and  decision  of  the  most  gifted  brave, 
his  gratification  became  nearly  too  powerful  to  be 
concealed.  In  the  midst  of  the  wailing  and  commo 
tion,  which  succeeded  the  death  of  Weucha  and  the 
escape  of  the  captive,  he  placed  himself  nigh  the  per 
sons  of  his  white  associates,  with  a  determination  of 
interfering,  at  every  hazard,  should  the  fury  of  the 
savages  take  that  direction.  The  appearance  of  the 
hostile  band  spared  him  however  so  desperate  and 
probably  so  fruitless  an  effort,  and  left  him  to  pursue 
his  observations  and  to  mature  his  plans  more  at 
leisure. 

He  particularly  remarked  tbatT  while  by  far  the 
greater  part  of  the  women  and  all  the  children,  to 
gether  with  the  effects  of  the  party  were  hurried  to 
the  rear,  probably  with  an  order  to  secrete  them 
selves  in  some  of  the  adjacent  woods,  the  tent  of 
Mahtoree  himself  was  left  standing,  and  its  contents 
undisturbed.  Two  chosen  horses,  however,  stood 
near  by,  held  by  a  couple  of  youths,  who  were  too 
young  to  go  into  the  conflict,  and  yet  of  an  age  to 
understand  the  management  of  the  beasts.  The 
trapper  perceived  in  this  arrangement  the  reluctance 
of  Mahtoree  to  trust  his  newly  found  "  flowers"  be 
yond  the  reach  of  his  eye,  and,  at  the  same  time,  his 
forethought  in  providing  against  any  reverse  of  for 
tune.  Neither  had  the  manner  of  the  Teton  in 
giving  his  commission  to  the  aid  savage,  nor  the 
fierce  pleasure,  with  which  the  latter  had  received 


THE    PRAIRIE.  441 

the  bloody  charge,  escaped  his  observation.  From 
all  these  mysterious  movements,  the  old  man  was 
aware  that  the  crisis  was  at  hand,  and  he  summoned 
the  utmost  knowledge  he  had  acquired  in  so  long  a 
life,  to  aid  him  in  the  desperate  conjuncture.  It  was 
while  musing  on  the  means  to  be  employed,  that  the 
Doctor  again  attracted  his  attention  to  himself,  by  a 
piteous  appeal  for  assistance. 

"  Venerable  trapper,  or,  as  I  may  now  say,  libe 
rator,"  commenced  the  dolorous  Obed,  "it  would 
seem,  that  a  fitting  time  has  at  length  arrived  to  dis 
sever  the  unnatural  and  altogether  irregular  connex 
ion,  which  exists  between  my  inferior  members  and 
the  body  of  Asinus.  Perhaps  if  such  a  portion  of 
my  limbs  were  released  as  might  leave  me  master  of 
the  remainder,  and  this  favourable  opportunity  were 
suitably  improved,  by  making  a  forced  march  towards 
the  settlements,  all  hopes  of  preserving  the  treasures 
of  knowledge,  of  which  I  am  the  unworthy  recep 
tacle,  would  not  be  lost.  The  importance  of  the  re 
sults  is  surely  worth  the  hazard  of  the  experiment." 

"  I  know  not,  I  know  not,"  returned  the  deliberate 
old  man ;  "  the  vermin  and  reptiles,  which  you  bear 
about  you,  were  intended  by  the  Lord  for  the  prai 
ries,  and  I  see  no  good  in  sending  them  into  regions 
that  may  not  suit  their  natur's.  And,  moreover,  you 
may  be  of  great  and  particular  use  as  you  now  sit  on 
the  ass,  though  it  creates  no  wonder  in  my  mind  to 
perceive  that  you  are  ignorant  of  it,  seeing  that  use 
fulness  is  altogether  a  new  calling  to  so  bookish  a 
man." 

"  Of  what  service  can  I  be  m  this  painful  thraldom, 
in  which  the  animal  functions  are  in  a  manner  sus 
pended,  and  the  spiritual,  or  intellectual,  blinded  by 
the  secret  sympathy  that  unites  mind  to  matter. 
There  is  likely  to  be  blood  spilt  between  yonder  ad 
verse  hosts  of  heathens,  and,  though  but  little  desiring 
the  office,  it  would  be  better  that  I  should  employ 


442  THE    PRAIRIE. 

myself  in  surgical  experiments,  than  in  thus  wasting 
the  precious  moments,  mortifying  both  soul  and 
body." 

"  It  is  little  that  a  Red-skin  would  care  to  have  a 
physicianer  at  his  hurts,  while  the  whoop  is  ringing 
in  his  ears.  Patience  is  a  virtue  in  an  Indian,  and 
can  be  no  shame  to  a  Christian  white  man.  Look 
at  these  hags  of  squaws,  friend  Doctor;  I  have  no 
judgment  in  savage  tempers,  if  they  are  not  bloody 
minded,  and  ready  to  work  their  accursed  pleasures 
on  us  all.  Now  so  long  as  you  keep  upon  the  ass, 
and  maintain  the  fierce  look  which  is  far  from  being 
your  natural  gift,  fear  of  so  great  a  medicine  may 
serve  to  keep  down  their  courage.  I  am  placed  here, 
like  a  general  at  the  opening  of  the  battle,  and  it  has 
become  my  duty  to  make  such  use  of  all  my  force 
as,  in  my  judgment,  each  is  best  fitted  to  perform.  If 
I  know  these  niceties  you -will  be  more  serviceable 
for  your  countenance,  just  now,  than  in  any  more 
stirring  exploits." 

"  Harkee,  old  trapper,"  shouted  Paul,  whose  pa 
tience  could  no  longer  maintain  itself  under  the  calcu 
lating  and  prolix  explanations  of  the  other,  "suppose 
you  cut  two  things  I  can  name,  short  offl  That  is  to 
say,  your  conversation,  which  is  agreeable  enough 
over  a  well-baked  buffaloe's  hump,  and  these  dam 
nable  thongs  of  hide,  which,  according  to  my  expe* 
rience,  can  be  pleasant  no  where.  A  single  stroke  of 
your  knife  would  be  of  more  service,  just  now,  than 
the  longest  speech  that  was  ever  made  in  a  Kentucky 
court-house." 

44  Ay,  court-houses  are  the 4  happy  hunting-grounds,1 
as  a  Red-skin  would  say,  for  them  that  are  born  with 
gifts  no  better  than  such  as  lie  in  the  tongue.  1  was 
carried  into  one  of  the  lawless  holes  myself,  once, 
and  it  was  all  about  a  thing  of  no  more  value  than 
the  skin  of  a  deer.  The  Lord  forgive  them !  the 
Lord  forgive  them !  they  knew  no  better,,  and  they 


THE  PRAIRIE.  443 

did  according  to  their  weak  judgments,  and  therefore 
the  more  are  they  to  be  pitied ;  and  yet  it  was  a 
solemn  sight  to  see  an  aged  man,  who  had  always 
lived  in  the  air,  laid  neck  and  heels  hy  the  law,  and 
held  up  as  a  spectacle  for  the  women  and  boys  of  a 
wasteful  settlement  to  point  their  fingers  at !" 

44  If  such  be  your  commendable  opinions  of  con 
finement,  honest  friend,  you  had  better  manifest  the 
same,  by  putting  us  at  liberty  with  as  little  delay  as 
possible,"  said  Middleton,  who,  like  his  companion, 
began  to  find  the  tardiness  of  his  often-tried  com 
panion  quite  as  extraordinary  as  it  was  disagreeable. 

14 1  should  greatly  like  to  do  the  same;  especially 
in  your  behalf,  Captain,  who,  being  a  soldier,  might 
find  not  only  pleasure  but  profit  in  examining,  more 
at  your  ease,  into  the  circumventions  and  cunning  of 
an  Indian  fight.  As  to  our  friend  here,  it  is  of  but 
little  matter,  how  much  of  this  affair  he  examines,  or 
how  little,  seeing  that  a  bee  is  not  to  be  overcome  in 
the  same  manner  as  an  Indian." 

44  Old  man,  this  trifling  with  our  misery  is  incon 
siderate,  to  give  it  a  name  no  harsher — " 

44  Ay,  your  gran'ther  was  of  a  hot  and  hurrying 
mind,  and  one  must  not  expect,  that  the  young  of  a 
panther  will  crawl  the  'arth  like  the  litter  of  a  por 
cupine.  Now  keep  you  both  silent,  and  what  I  say 
shall  have  the  appearance  of  being  spoken  concern 
ing  the  movements  that  are  going  on  in  the  bottom ; 
all  of  which  will  serve  to  put  jealousy  to  sleep,  and 
to  shut  the  eyes  of  such  as  rarely  close  them  on  wick 
edness  and  cruelty.  In  the  first  place,  then,  you 
must  know  that  I  have  reason  to  think  yonder  treach 
erous  Teton  has  left  an  order  to  put  us  all  to  death, 
so  soon  as  he  thinks  the  deed  may  be  done  secretly, 
and  without  tumult." 

44  Great  Heaven  !  will  you  suffer  us  to  be  butcher 
ed  like  unresisting  sheep." 

"  Hist,  Captain,  hist;  a  hot  temper  is  none  of  the 


444  THE    PRAIRIE, 

best,  when  cunning  is  more  needed  than  blows.  Ah, 
(he  Pawnee  is  a  noble  boy !  it  would  do  your  heart 
good  to  see  how  he  draws  off  from  the  river,  in  or 
der  to  invite  his  enemies  to  cross ;  and  yet,  according 
to  my  failing  sight,  they  count  two  warriors  to  his 
one  j  But  as  I  was  saying,  little  good  comes  of  haste 
and  thoughtlessness.  The  facts  are  so  plain,  that  any 
child  may  see  into  their  wisdom.  The  savages  are 
of  many  minds  as  to  the  manner  of  our  treatment. 
Some  fear  us  for  our  colour,  and  would  gladly  let  us 
go,  and  other  some  would  show  us  the  mercy  that  the 
doe  receives  from  the  hungry  wolf.  When  opposi 
tion  gets  fairly  into  the  councils  of  a  tribe,  it  is  rare 
that  humanity  is  the  gainer.  Now  see  you  these 
wrinkled  and  cruel-minded  squaws — No,  you  cannot 
see  them  as  you  lie,  but  nevertheless  they  are  here, 
ready  and  willing,  like  so  many  raging  she-bears,  to 
work  their  will  upon  us  so  soon  as  the  proper  time 
shall  come." 

"  Harkee,  old  gentleman  trapper,"  interrupted 
Paul,  with  a  little  bitterness  in  his  manner.  "  Do 
you  tell  us  these  matters  for  our  amusement  or  for 
your  own.  If  for  ours,  you  may  keep  your  breath 
for  the  next  race  you  run,  as  I  am  tickled  nearly  to 
suffocation,  already,  with  my  part  of  the  fun." 

"  Hist" — said  the  trapper,  cutting  with  great  dex 
terity  and  rapidity  the  thong,  which  bound  one  of  the 
arms  of  Paul  to  his  body,  and  dropping  his  knife  at 
the  same  time  within  reach  of  the  liberated  hand. 
"  Hist,  boy,  hist ;  that  was  a  lucky  moment !  The 
yell  from  the  bottom  drew  the  eyes  of  these  blood 
suckers  in  another  quarter,  and  so  far  we  are  safe. 
Now  make  a  proper  use  of  your  advantages  ;  but  be 
careful,  that  what  you  do,  is  done  without  being  seen." 

"  Thank  you  for  this  small  favour,  old  delibera 
tion,"  muttered  the  bee-hunter,  "  though  it  comes 
like  a  snow  in  May,  somewhat  out  of  season." 

" Foolish  boy!"  reproachfully  exclaimed  the  other. 


THE    PRAIRIE,  445 

who  had  moved  to  a  little  distance  from  his  friends, 
and  appeared  to  be  attentively  regarding  the  move 
ments  of  the  hostile  parties,  "  will  you  never  learn 
to  know  the  wisdom  of  patience.  And  you,  too, 
Captain ;  though  a  man  myself,  that  seldom  ruffles 
his  temper  by  vain  feelings,  I  see  that  you  are  silent, 
because  you  scorn  to  ask  favours  any  longer  from  one 
you  think  too  slow  to  grant  them.  No  doubt,  ye  are 
both  young  and  filled  with  the  pride  of  your  strength 
and  manhood,  and  I  dare  say  you  thought  it  only 
needful  to  cut  the  thongs,  to  leave  you  masters  of  the 
ground.  But  he,  that  has  seen  much,  is  apt  to  think 
much.  Had  I  run  like  a  bustling  woman  to  have 
given  you  freedom,  these  hags  of  the  Siouxes  would 
have  seen  the  same,  and  then  where  would  you  both 
have  found  yourselves  !  Under  the  tomahawk  and 
the  knife,  like  helpless  and  outcrying  children,  though 
gifted  with  the  size  and  beards  of  men.  Ask  our 
friend,  the  bee-hunter,  in  what  condition  he  finds  him 
self  to  struggle  with  a  Teton  boy,  after  so  many  hours 
of  bondage ;  much  less  with  a  dozen  marciless  and 
blood-thirsty  squaws !" 

"  Truly,  old  trapper,"  returned  Paul  stretching  his 
limbs,  which  were  by  this  time  entirely  released,  and 
endeavouring  to  restore  the  suspended  circulation, 
"you  have  some  judgmatical  notions  in  these  mat 
ters.  Now  here  am  I,  Paul  Hover,  a  man  who  will 
give  in  to  few  at  a  wrestle  or  a  race,  nearly  as  help 
less  as  the  day  I  paid  my  first  visit  to  the  house  of 
old  Paul,  who  is  dead  and  gone,  the  Lord  forgive  him 
any  little  blunders  he  may  have  made  while  he  tar 
ried  in  Kentucky !  Now  there  is  my  foot  on  the 
ground,  so  far  as  eye-sight  has  any  virtue,  and  yet  it 
would  take  no  great  temptation  to  make  me  swear  it 
didn't  touch  the  earth  by  six  inches.  I  say,  honest 
friend,  since  you  have  done  so  much,  have  the  good 
ness  to  keep  these  damnable  squaws,  of  whom  you 
2P 


THE   PRJURIE. 

say  so  many  interesting  things,  at  a  little  distance,  till 
I  have  got  the  blood  of  this  arm  in  motion  and  am 
ready  to  receive  them  politely." 

The  trapper  made  a  sign  that  he  perfectly  under 
stood  the  emergency  of  the  case,  and  he  walked  to 
wards  the  superannuated  savage,  who  began  to  man 
ifest  an  intention  of  commencing  his  assigned  task, 
leaving  the  bee-hunter  to  recover  the  use  of  his  limbs 
as  well  as  he  could,  and  to  put  Middleton  in  a  simi 
lar  situation  to  defend  himself. 

Mahtoree  had  not  mistaken  his  man,  in  selecting 
the  one  he  did  to  execute  his  bloody  purpose.  He 
had  chosen  one  of  those  ruthless  savages,  more  or 
less  of  whom  are  to  be  found  in  every  tribe,  who  had 
purchased  a  certain  share  of  military  reputation,  by 
the  exhibition  of  a  hardihood  that  found  its  impulses 
in  an  innate  love  of  cruelty.  Contrary  to  the  high 
and  chivalrous  sentiment,  which  among  the  Indians 
of  the  prairies  renders  it  a  deed  of  even  greater 
merit  to  bear  off  the  trophy  of  victory  from  a  fallen 
foe,  than  to  slay  him,  he  had  been  remarkable  for 
preferring  the  pleasure  of  destroying  life,  to  the  glory 
of  striking  the  dead.  While  the  more  self-devoted 
and  ambitious  braves  were  intent  on  personal  honour, 
he  had  always  been  seen,  established  behind  some 
favourable  cover,  depriving  the  wounded  of  hope,  by 
finishing  that  which  a  more  gallant  warrior  had  begun. 
In  all  the  cruelties  of  the  tribe  he  had  ever  been  fore 
most,  and  no  Sioux  was  so  uniformly  found  on  the 
side  of  merciless  councils. 

He  had  awaited,  with  an  impatience  which  his 
long-practised  restraint  could  with  difficulty  subdue, 
for  the  moment  to  arrive  when  he  might  proceed  to 
execute  the  wishes  of  the  great  chief,  without  whose 
approbation  and  powerful  protection  he  would  not 
have  dared  to  undertake  a  step  that  had  so  many  op- 
posers  in  the  nation.  But  events  had  been  hastening 


TKL  FRAiRnr.  447 


to  an  issue  between  the  hostile  parties,  and  the  time 
had  now  arrived,  greatly  to  his  secret  and  malignant 
joy,  when  he  was  free  to  act  his  will. 

'I  'he  trapper  found  him  distributing  knives  to  the 
ferocious  hags,  who  received  the  presents  chanting  a 
low  monotonous  song,  that  recalled  the  losses  of  their 
people,  in  various  conflicts  with  the  whites,  and 
which  extolled  the  pleasures  and  glory  of  revenge. 
The  appearance  of  such  a  groupe  was  enough  of  it 
self  to  have  deterred  one,  less  accustomed  to  such 
sights  than  the  old  man,  from  trusting  himself  within 
the  circle  of  their  wild  and  repulsive  rites. 

Each  of  the  crones,  as  she  received  the  weapon, 
commenced  a  slow  and  measured,  but  ungainly  step, 
around  the  savage,  until  the  whole  were  circling  him 
in  a  sort  of  magic  dance.  The  movements  were 
timed,  in  some  degree,  by  the  words  of  their  songs, 
as  were  their  gestures  by  the  ideas.  When  they 
spoke  of  their  own  losses,  they  tossed  their  long 
straight  locks  of  gray  into  the  air,  or  suffered  them 
to  fall  in  confusion  upon  their  withered  necks,  but  as 
the  sweetness  of  returning  blow  for  blow  was  touch 
ed  upon,  by  any  one  among  them,  it  was  answered 
by  a  common  howl,  as  well  as  by  gestures,  that  were 
sufficiently  expressive  of  the  manner  in  which  they 
were  exciting  themselves  to  the  necessary  state  of 
fury. 

It  was  into  the  very  centre  of  this  ring  of  seeming 
demons  that  the  trapper  now  stalked,  with  the  same 
calmness  and  observation  as  he  would  have  walked 
into  a  village  church.  No  other  change  was  made 
by  his  appearance,  than  a  renewal  of  the  threatening 
gestures,  with,  if  possible,  a  still  less  equivocal  dis 
play  of  their  remorseless  intentions.  Making  a  sign 
for  them  to  cease,  the  old  man  demanded  — 

"  Why  do  the  mothers  of  the  Tetons  sing  with  bit 
ter  tongues  ?  The  Pawnee  prisoners  are  not  yet  in 


148  THE    PRAIRIE. 

their  village ;  their  young  men  have  not  come  back 
loaded  with  scalps ! " 

He  was  answered  by  another  general  howl,  and  a 
few  of  the  boldest  of  the  furies  even  ventured  to  ap 
proach  him,  flourishing  their  knives  within  a  danger 
ous  proximity  to  his  own  steady  eye-balls. 

"  It  is  a  warrior  you  see,  and  no  runner  of  the 
Long-knives,  whose  face  grows  paler  at  the  sight  of  a 
tomahawk,"  returned  the  trapper,  without  moving  a 
muscle.  "  Let  the  Sioux  women  think ;  if  one  White- 
skin  dies  a  hundred  spring  up  where  he  falls." 

Still  the  hags  made  no  other  answer  than  by  in 
creasing  their  speed  in  the  circle,  and  occasionally 
raising  the  threatening  expressions  of  their  chaunt 
into  louder  and  more  intelligible  strains.  Suddenly 
one  of  the  oldest,  and  most  ferocious  of  them  all 
broke  out  of  the  ring,  and  skirred  away  in  the  direc 
tion  of  her  victims,  like  a  rapacious  bird,  that  having 
wheeled  on  poised  wings,  for  the  time  necessary  to 
insure  its  object,  makes  the  final  dart  upon  its  prey. 
The  others  followed,  a  disorderly  and  screaming 
flock,  fearful  of  being  too  late  to  reap  their  portion 
of  the  sanguinary  pleasure. 

"  Mighty  medecine  of  my  people  ! "  shouted  the 
old  man,  in  the  Teton  tongue ;  "  lift  your  voice  and 
speak,  that  the  Sioux  nation  may  hear." 

Whether  it  was  that  Asinus  had  acquired  so  much 
knowledge,  by  his  recent  experience,  as  to  know  the 
value  of  his  sonorous  properties,  or  that  the  strange 
spectacle  of  a  dozen  hags  flitting  past  him,  filling  the 
air  with  such  sounds  as  were  even  grating  to  the  ears 
of  an  ass,  most  moved  his  temper,  it  is  certain  thai 
the  animal  did  that  which  Obed  was  requested  to  do, 
and  probably  with  far  greater  effect  than  if  the  nat 
uralist  had  strove  with  his  mightiest  effort  to  be  heard 
It  was  the  first  time  the  strange  beast  had  spoken 
since  his  arrival  in  the  encampment.  Admonished 


THE    PRAIRIE.  449 

by  so  terrible  a  warning,  the  hags  scattered  them 
selves,  like  vultures  frightened  from  their  prey,  still 
screaming  and  but  half  diverted  from  their  purpose. 

In  the  meantime  the  sudden,  appearance,  and  the 
imminency  of  the  danger,  had  quickened  the  blood 
in  the  veins  of  Paul  and  Middleton,  more  than  all 
their  laborious  frictions  and  physical  expedients. 
The  former  had  actually  risen  to  his  feet,  and  assum 
ed  an  attitude  which  perhaps  threatened  more  than 
the  worthy  bee-hunter  was  able  to  perform,  and  even 
the  latter  had  mounted  to  his  knees,  and  shown  a  dis 
position  to  do  good  service  for  his  life.  The  unac 
countable  release  of  the  captives  from  their  bonds 
was  attributed  by  the  hags  to  the  incantations  of  the 
medecine,  and  the  mistake  was  probably  of  as  much 
service  as  the  miraculous  and  timely  interposition  of 
Asinus  in  their  favour. 

"  Now  is  the  time  to  come  out  of  our  ambush- 
ment,"  exclaimed  the  old  man,  hastening  to  join  his 
friends,  "  and  to  make  open  and  manful  war.  It 
would  have  been  policy  to  have  kept  back  the  strug 
gle,  until  the  Captain  was  in  better  condition  to  join, 
but  as  we  have  unmasked  our  battery,  why,  we  must 
maintain  the  ground — " 

He  was  interrupted  by  feeling  a  gigantic  hand  on 
his  shoulder.  Turning,  under  a  sort  of  confused  im 
pression  that  necromancy  was  actually  abroad  in  the 
place,  he  found  that  he  was  in  the  hands  of  a  sorcer 
er  no  less  dangerous  and  powerful  than  Ishmael  Bush. 
The  file  of  the  squatter's  well-armed  sons,  that  was 
seen  issuing  from  behind  the  still  standing  tent  of 
Mahtoree,  explained  at  once,  not  only  the  manner  in 
which  their  rear  had  been  turned,  while  their  atten 
tion  had  been  so  earnestly  bestowed  on  matters  in 
front,  but  the  utter  impossibility  of  resistance. 

Neither  Ishmael  nor  his  sons  deemed  it  necessary 
to  enter  into  prolix  explanations.  Middleton  and 
Paul  were  bound  again,  with  extraordinary  silence 
2P2 


450  THE    PRAIRIE. 

and  despatch,  and  this  time  not  even  the  aged  trap 
per  was  exempt  from  a  similar  fortune.  The  tent 
was  struck,  the  females  placed  upon  the  horses,  and 
the  whole  were  on  the  way  towards  the  squatter's 
encampment,  with  a  celerity  that  might  well  have 
served  to  keep  alive  the  idea  of  magic. 

During  this  summary  and  brief  disposition  of 
things,  the  disappointed  agent  of  Mahtoree  and  his 
callous  associates  were  seen  flying  across  the  plain, 
in  the  direction  of  the  retiring  families,  and  when 
Ishmael  left  the  spot  with  his  prisoners  and  his  booty 
the  ground,  which  had  so  lately  been  alive  with  the 
bustle  and  life  of  an  extensive  Indian  encampment, 
was  as  still  and  empty  as  any  other  spot  in  those  ex 
tensive  wastes. 


CHAPTEE  XXX. 

"  Is  this  proceeding  just  and  honourable  ?  " 

Shakspeare. 

DURING  the  occurrence  of  these  events  on  the  up 
land  plain,  the  warriors  on  the  bottom  had  not  been 
idle.  We  left  the  adverse  bands  watching  each  other 
on  the  opposite  banks  of  the  stream,  each  endeav 
ouring  to  excite  its  enemy  to  some  act  of  indiscretion, 
by  the  most  reproachful  taunts  and  revilings.  But 
the  Pawnee  chief  was  not  slow  to-  discover  that  his 
crafty  antagonist  had  no  objection  to  waste  the  time 
so  idly,  and,  as  they  mutually  proved,  in  expedients 
that  were  so  entirely  useless.  He  changed  his  plans, 
accordingly,  and  withdrew  from  the  bank,  as  has  been 
already  explained  through  the  month  of  the  trapper, 
in  order  to  invite  the  more  numerous  host  of  the 
Siouxes  to  cross.  The  challenge  was  not  accepted, 
and  the  Loups  were  compelled  to  frame  some  other 
method  to  attain  their  end. 


THE    PRAIRIE.  451 

Instead  of  any  longer  throwing  away  the  precious 
moments,  in  fruitless  endeavours  to  induce  his  foe  to 
cross  the  stream,  the  young  partisan  of  the  Pawnees 
led  his  troops,  at  a  swift  gallop,  along  its  margin,  in 
quest  of  some  favourable  spot,  where  by  a  sudden 
push  he  might  throw  his  own  band  without  loss  to 
the  opposite  shore.  The  instant  his  object  was  dis 
covered,  each  mounted  Teton  received  a  footman 
behind  him,  and  Mahtoree  was  still  enabled  to  con 
centrate  his  whole  force  against  the  effort.  Perceiv 
ing  that  his  design  was  anticipated,  and  unwilling  to 
blow  his  horses  by  a  race  that  would  disqualify  them 
for  service  even  after  they  had  succeeded  in  outstrip 
ping  the  more  heavily-burdened  cattle  of  the  Siouxes, 
Hard-Heart  drew  up,  and  came  to  a  dead  halt  on  the 
very  margin  of  the  water-course. 

As  the  country  was  too  open  for  any  of  the  usual 
devices  of  savage  warfare,  and  time  was  so  pressing, 
the  chivalrous  Pawnee  resolved  to  bring  on  the  re 
sult  by  one  of  those  acts  of  personal  daring,  for 
which  the  Indian  braves  are  so  remarkable,  and  by 
which  they  so  often  purchase  their  highest  and  dear 
est  renown.  The  spot  he  had  selected  was  favoura 
ble  to  such  a  project.  The  river,  which  throughout 
most  of  its  course  was  deep  and  rapid,  had  expand 
ed  there  to  more  than  twice  its  customary  width,  and 
the  rippling  of  its  waters  proved  that  it  flowed  over 
a  shallow  bottom.  In  the  centre  of  the  current  there 
was  an  extensive  and  naked  bed  of  sand,  but  a  little 
raised  above  the  level  of  the  stream,  and  of  a  colour 
and  consistency  which  warranted,  to  a  practised  eye, 
that  it  afforded  a  firm  and  safe  foundation  for  the 
foot.  To  this  spot  the  partisan  now  turned  his  wist 
ful  gaze,  nor  was  he  long  in  making  his  decision. 
First  speaking  to  his  warriors,  and  apprizing  them  of 
his  intentions,  he  dashed  into  the  current,  and  partly 
by  swimming,  and  more  by  the  use  of  his  horse's  feet, 
he  quickly  reached  the  island  in  safety. 


452  THE    PRAIRIE. 

The  experience  of  Hard-Heart  had  not  deceived 
him.  When  his  snorting  steed  issued  from  the  water, 
he  found  himself  on  a  tremulous  but  damp  and  com 
pact  bed  of  sand,  that  was  admirably  adapted  to  the 
exhibition  of  the  finest  powers  of  the  animal.  The 
horse  seemed  conscious  of  the  advantage,  and  bore 
his  warlike  rider,  with  an  elasticity  of  step  and  a 
loftiness  of  air,  that  would  have  done  no  discredit  to 
the  highest  trained  and  most  generous  charger.  The 
blood  of  the  chief  himself  quickened  with  the  excite 
ment  of  his  striking  situation.  He  sat  the  beast  as 
though  he  was  conscious  that  the  eyes  of  two  tribes 
were  on  his  movements,  and  as  nothing  could  be 
more  acceptable  and  grateful  to  his  own  band  than 
this  display  of  native  grace  and  courage,  so  nothing 
could  be  more  taunting  and  humiliating  to  their 
enemies. 

The  sudden  appearance  of  the  Pawnee  on  the 
sands  was  announced  among  the  Tetons  by  a  general 
yell  of  savage  anger.  A  rush  was  made  to  the  shore, 
followed  by  a  discharge  of  fifty  arrows  and  a  few 
fusees,  and  on  the  part  of  several  braves  there  was  a 
plain  manifestation  of  a  desire  to  plunge  into  the 
water,  in  order  to  punish  the  temerity  of  their  inso 
lent  foe.  But  a  call  and  a  mandate  from  Mahtoree 
checked  the  rising,  and  nearly  ungovernable,  temper 
of  his  band.  So  far  from  allowing  a  single  foot  to  be 
wet,  or  a  repetition  of  the  fruitless  efforts  of  his  peo 
ple  to  drive  away  their  foe  with  missiles,  the  whole 
of  the  party  was  commanded  to  retire  from  the  shore, 
while  he  himself  communicated  his  intentions  to  one 
or  two  of  his  most  favoured  followers. 

When  the  Pawnees  had  observed  the  rush  of  their 
enemies,  twenty  warriors  rode  into  the  stream  ;  but 
so  soon  as  they  perceived  that  the  Tetons  had  with 
drawn,  they  fell  back  to  a  man,  leaving  the  young 
chief  to  the  support  of  his  own  often-tried  skill  and 
well-established  courage.  The  instructions  of  Hard 


THE    PRAIRIE.  453 

Heart,  on  quitting  his  band,  had  been  worthy  of  the 
self-devotion  and  daring  of  his  character.  So  long 
as  single  warriors  came  against  him,  he  was  to  be  left 
to  the  keeping  of  the  Wahcondah  and  his  own  arm, 
but  should  the  Siouxes  attack  him  in  numbers,  he 
was  to  be  sustained,  man  for  man,  even  to  the  extent 
of  his  whole  force.  These  generous  orders  were 
strictly  obeyed;  and  though  so  many  hearts  in  the 
troop  panted  to  share  in  the  glory  and  danger  of 
their  partisan,  not  a  warrior  was  found,  among  them 
all,  who  did  not  know  how  to  conceal  his  impatience 
under  the  usual  mask  of  Indian  self-restraint.  They 
watched  the  issue  with  quick  and  jealous  eyes,  nor 
did  a  single  exclamation  of  surprise  escape  them, 
when  they  saw,  as  will  soon  be  apparent,  that  the 
experiment  of  their  chief  was  as  likely  to  conduce  to 
peace  as  to  war. 

Mahtoree  was  not  long  in  communicating  his  plans 
to  his  confidants,  whom  he  as  quickly  dismissed  to 
join  their  fellows  in  the  rear.  The  Teton  entered  a 
short  distance  into  the  stream  and  halted.  Here  he 
raised  his  hand  several  times,  with  the  palm  out 
wards,  and  made  several  of  those  other  signs,  which 
are  construed  into  a  pledge  of  amicable  intentions 
among  the  inhabitants  of  those  regions.  Then,  as  if 
to  confirm  the  sincerity  of  his  faith,  he  cast  his  fusee 
to  the  shore,  and  entered  deeper  into  the  water, 
where  he  again  came  to  a  stand,  in  order  to  see  in 
what  manner  the  Pawnee  would  receive  his  pledges 
of  peace. 

The  crafty  Sioux  had  not  made  his  calculations  on 
the  noble  and  honest  nature  of  his  more  youthful 
rival  in  vain.  Hard-Heart  had  continued  galloping 
across  the  sands,  during  the  discharge  of  missiles  and 
the  appearance  of  a  general  onset,  with  the  same 
proud  and  confident  mien,  as  that  with  which  he  had 
first  braved  the  danger.  When  he  saw  the  well- 
known  person  of  the  Teton  partisan  enter  the  river 


454  THE    PRAIRIE. 

he  waved  his  hand  in  triumph,  and  flourishing  his 
lance,  he  raised  the  thrilling  war-cry  of  his  people, 
as  a  challenge  for  him  to  come  on.  But  when  he 
saw  the  signs  of  a  truce,  though  deeply  practised  in 
the  treachery  of  savage  combats,  he  disdained  to 
show  a  less  manly  reliance  on  himself,  than  that 
which  his  enemy  had  seen  fit  to  exhibit.  Riding  to 
the  farthest  extremity  of  the  sands,  he  cast  his  own 
fusee  from  him,  and  returned  to  the  point  whence  he 
had  started. 

The  two  chiefs  were  now  armed  alike.  Each  had 
his  spear,  his  bow,  his  quiver,  his  little  battle-axe  and 
his  knife  ;  and  each  had,  also,  a  shield  of  hides,  which 
might  serve  as  a  means  of  defence  against  a  surprise 
from  any  of  these  weapons.  The  Sioux  no  longer 
hesitated,  but  advanced  deeper  into  the  stream,  and 
soon  landed  on  a  point  of  the  island  which  his  cour 
teous  adversary  had  left  free  for  that  purpose.  Had 
one  been  there  to  watch  the  countenance  of  Mah- 
toree,  as  he  crossed  the  water  that  separated  him 
from  the  most  formidable  and  the  most  hated  of  all 
his  rivals,  he  might  have  fancied  that  he  could  trace 
the  gleamings  of  a  secret  joy,  breaking  through  the 
cloud  which  deep  cunning  and  heartless  treachery 
had  drawn  before  his  swarthy  visage ;  and  yet  there 
would  have  been  moments,  when  he  might  have  be 
lieved  that  the  flashings  of  the  Teton's  eye  and  the 
expansion  of  his  nostrils,  had  their  origin  in  a  nobler 
sentiment,  and  one  far  more  worthy  of  an  Indian 
chief. 

The  Pawnee  had  withdrawn  to  his  own  side  of  the 
sands,  where  he  awaited  the  time  of  his  enemy  with 
calmness  and  dignity.  The  Teton  made  a  short  turn 
or  two,  to  curb  the  impatience  of  his  steed,  and  to 
recover  his  seat  after  the  effort  of  crossing,  and  then 
he  rode  into  the  centre  of  the  place,  and  invited  the 
other,  by  a  courteous  gesture,  to  approach.  Hard- 
Heart  drew  nigh,  until  he  found  himself  at  a  distance 


THE    PRAIRIE.  455 

equally  suited  to  advance  or  to  retreat,  and,  in  his 
turn,  he  came  to  a  stand,  keeping  his  glowing  eye 
riveted  on  that  of  his  enemy.  A  long  and  grave 
pause  succeeded  this  movement,  during  which  these 
two  distinguished  braves,  who  were  now,  for  the  first 
time,  confronted,  with  arms  in  their  hands,  sat  re 
garding  each  other,  like  warriors  who  knew  how  to 
value  the  merits  of  a  gallant  foe,  however  hated. 
But  the  mien  of  Mahtoree  was  far  less  stern  and 
warlike  than  that  of  the  partisan  of  the  Loups. 
Throwing  his  shield  over  his  shoulder,  as  if  to  invite 
the  confidence  of  the  other,  he  made  a  gesture  of 
salutation  and  was  the  first  to  speak. 

"Let  the  Pawnees  go  upon  the  hills,"  he  said, 
"and  look  from  the  morning  to  the  evening  sun, 
from  the  country  of  snows  to  the  land  of  many 
flowers,  and  they  will  see  that  the  earth  is  very  large. 
Why  cannot  the  Red-men  find'room  on  it  for  all  their 
villages?" 

"  Has  the  Teton  ever  known  a  warrior  of  the  Loups 
come  to  his  towns  to  beg  a  place  for  his  lodge?"  re 
turned  the  young  brave,  with  a  look  in  which  pride 
and  contempt  were  not  attempted  to  be  concealed ; 
"  when  the  Pawnees  hunt,  do  they  send  runners  to 
ask  Mahtoree  if  there  are  no  Siouxes  on  the  prai 
ries  ?" 

"  When  there  is  hunger  in  the  lodge  of  a  warrior, 
he^looks  for  the  buffaloe,  which  is  given  him  for 
food,"  the  Teton  continued,  struggling  to  keep  down 
the  ire  which  was  excited  by  the  other's  scorn. 
"  The  Wahcondah  has  made  more  of  them  than  he 
has  made  Indians.  He  has  not  said,  this  buffaloe 
shall  be  for  a  Pawnee,  and  that  for  a  Dahcotah ;  this 
beaver  for  a  Konza,  and  that  for  an  Omahaw.  No  j 
he  said,  there  are  enough.  1  love  my  red  children, 
and  I  have  given  them  great  riches.  The  swifteit 
horse  shall  not  go  from  the  village  of  the  Tetons  to 
the  village  of  the  Loups  in  many  suns.  It  is  far  from 


456  THE  PRAIRIE. 

the  towns  of  the  Pawnees  to  the  river  of  the  Osages. 
There  is  room  for  all  that  I  love.  Why  then  should 
a  Red-man  strike  his  brother?" 

Hard-Heart  dropped  one  end  of  his  lance  to  the 
earth,  and  having  also  cast  his  shield  across  his 
shoulder,  he  sat  leaning  lightly  on  the  weapon,  as  he 
answered  with  a  smile  of  no  doubtful  expression — 

"  Are  the  Tetons  weary  of  the  hunts  and  of  the 
war-path?  do  they  wish  to  cook  the  venison,  and 
not  to  kill  it  ?  Do  they  intend  to  let  the  hair  cover 
their  heads,  that  their  enemies  shall  not  know  where 
to  find  their  scalps !  Go ;  a  Pawnee  warrior  will 
never  come  among  such  Sioux  squaws  for  a  wife !" 

A  frightful  gleam  of  ferocity  broke  out  of  the  re 
straint  of  the  Dahcotatfs  countenance,  as  he  listened 
to  this  biting  insult,  but  he  was  quick  in  subduing  the 
tell-tale  sentiment,  in  an  expression  much  better 
suited  to  his  present  purpose. 

"  This  is  the  way  a  young  chief  should  talk  of 
war,"  he  answered  with  singular  composure ;  "  but 
Mahtoree  has  seen  the  misery  of  more  winters  than 
his  brother.  When  the  nights  have  been  long,  and 
darkness  has  been  in  his  lodge,  while  the  young  men 
slept,  he  has  thought  of  the  hardships  of  his  people. 
He  has  said  to  himself:  Teton,  count  the  scalps  in 
your  smoke.  They  are  all  red  but  two !  Does  the 
wolf  destroy  the  wolf,  or  the  rattler  strike  his  brother? 
You  know  they  do  not;  therefore,  Teton,  are  ypn 
wrong  to  go  on  a  path  that  leads  to  the  village  of  a 
Red-skin,  with  the  tomahawk  in  your  hand." 

"The  Sioux  would  rob  the  warrior  of  his  fame? 
He  would  say  to  his  young  men :  go,  dig  roots  in  the 
prairies,  and  find  holes  to  bury  your  tomahawks  in; 
you  are  no  longer  braves  !" 

"  If  the  tongue  of  Mahtoree  ever  says  thus,"  re 
turned  the  crafty  chief,  with  an  appearance  of  strong 
indignation,  "let  his  women  cut  it  out,  and  burn  il 
with  the  offals  of  the  buffaloe.  No,"  he  added,  ad- 


THE  PRAIRIE.  457 

vancing  a  few  feet  nigher  to  the  immoveable  Hard- 
Heart,  as  if  in  the  sincerity  of  his  confidence ;  "  the 
Red-man  can  never  want  an  enemy;  they  are  plentier 
than  the  leaves  on  the  trees,  the  birds  in  the  heavens, 
or  the  buffaloes  on  the  prairies.  Let  my  brother 
open  his  eyes  wide;  does  he  no  where  see  an  enemy 
he  would  strike?" 

"  How  long  is  it  since  the  Teton  counted  the  scalps 
of  his  warriors,  that  were  drying  in  the  smoke  of  a 
Pawnee  lodge  ?  The  hand  that  took  them  is  here, 
and  ready  to  make  eighteen,  twenty." 

"  Now  let  not  the  mind  of  my  brother  go  on  a  crook 
ed  path.  If  a  Red-skin  strikes  a  Red-skin  forever,  who 
will  be  masters  of  the  prairies,  when  no  warriors  are 
left  to  say, '  they  are  mine.'  Hear  the  voices  of  the 
old  men.  They  tell  us  that  in  their  days  many  In 
dians  have  come  out  of  the  woods  under  the  rising 
sun,  and  that  they  have  filled  the  prairies  with  their 
complaints  of  the  robberies  of  the  Long-knives., 
Where  a  Pale-face  comes,  a  Red-man  cannot  stay. 
The  land  is  too  small.  They  are  always  hungry. 
See,  they  are  here  already !" 

As  the  Teton  spoke,  he  pointed  towards  the  tents 
of  Ishmael,  which  were  in  plain  sight,  and  then  he 
paused,  to  await  the  effect  of  his  words  on  the  mind 
of  his  ingenuous  foe.  Hard-Heart  listened,  like  one 
in  whom  a  train  of  novel  ideas  had  been  excited  by 
the  reasoning  of  the  other.  He  mused  for  near  a 
minute,  before  he  demanded — 

"  What  do  the  wise  chiefs  of  the  Sioux  say  must 
be  done?" 

"  They  think  that  the  moccasin  of  every  Pale-face 
should  be  followed,  like  the  track  of  the  bear.  That 
the  Long-knife,  who  comes  upon  the  prairie,  should 
never  go  back.  That  the  path  shall  be  open  to  those 
who  come,  and  shut  to  those  who  go.  Yonder  are 
many.  They  have  horses  and  guns.  They  are  rich, 
but  we  are  poor.  Will  the  Pawnees  meet  the  Te- 
•  Q 


458  THE    PRAIRIE. 

tons  In  council ;  and  when  the  sun  is  gone  behind  the 
Rocky  Mountains,  they  will  say,  this  is  for  a  Loup 
and  this  for  a  Sioux." 

"  Teton — no  !  Hard-Heart  has  never  struck  the 
stranger.  They  come  into  his  lodge  and  eat,  and 
they  go  out  in  safety.  A  mighty  chief  is  their  friend  ! 
When  my  people  call  the  young  men  to  go  on  the 
war-path,  the  moccasin  of  Hard-Heart  is  the  last. 
But  his  village  is  no  sooner  hid  by  the  trees,  than  it 
is  the  first.  No,  Teton  ;  his  arm  will  never  be  lifted 
against  the  stranger." 

"  Fool,  then  die,  with  empty  hands  !"  Mahtoree 
exclaimed,  setting  an  arrow  to  his  bow,  and  sending 
it,  with  a  sudden  and  deadly  aim,  full  at  the  naked 
bosom  of  his  generous  and  confiding  enemy. 

The  action  of  the  treacherous  Teton  was  too 
quick,  and  too  well  matured  to  admit  of  any  of  the 
ordinary  means  of  defence,  on  the  part  of  the  Paw 
nee.  His  shield  was  hanging  from  his  shoulder,  and 
even  the  arrow  had  been  suffered  to  fall  from  its 
place,  and  lay  in  the  hollow  of  the  hand,  which 
grasped  his  bow.  But  the  quick  eye  of  the  brave 
had  time  to  see  the  movement,  and  his  ready  thoughts 
did  not  desert  him.  Pulling  hard  and  with  a  jerk  up 
on  the  rein,  his  steed  reared  his  forward  legs  into  the 
air,  and,  as  the  rider  bent  his  body  low,  the  horse  it 
self  served  for  a  shield  against  the  danger.  So  true, 
however,  was  the  aim,  and  so  powerful  the  force  by 
which  it  was  sent,  that  the  arrow  entered  the  neck  of 
the  animal  and  broke  the  skin  on  the  opposite  side. 

Quicker  than  thought  Hard-Heart  sent  back  an 
answering  arrow.  The  shield  of  the  Teton  was  trans 
fixed,  but  his  person  was  untouched.  For  a  few  mo 
ments  the  twang  of  the  bow  and  the  glancing  of  ar 
rows  were  incessant,  notwithstanding  the  combatants 
were  compelled  to  give  so  large  a  portion  of  their 
care  to  the  means  of  defence.  The  quivers  were 
eoon  exhausted,  and  though  blood  had  been  drawn, 


THE    PRAIRIE.  459 

it  was  not  in  sufficient  quantities  to  impair  the  energy 
of  the  combat. 

A  series  of  masterly  and  rapid  evolutions  with  the 
horses  now  commenced.  The  wheelings,  the  charges, 
the  advances,  and  the  circuitous  retreats,  were  like 
the  flights  of  circling  swallows.  Blows  were  struck 
with  the  lance,  the  sand  was  scattered  in  the  air,  and 
the  shocks  often  seemed  to  be  unavoidably  fatal ;  but 
still  each  party  kept  his  seat,  and  still  each  rein  was 
managed  with  a  steady  hand.  At  length  the  Teton 
was  driven  to  the  necessity  of  throwing  himself  from 
his  horse,  to  escape  a  thrust  that  would  otherwise 
have  proved  fatal.  The  Pawnee  passed  his  lance 
through  the  beast,  uttering  a  shout  of  triumph  as  he 
galloped  by.  Turning  in  his  tracks  he  was  about  to 
push  the  advantage,  when  his  own  mettled  steed  stag 
gered  and  fell,  under  a  burden  that  he  could  no  longer 
sustain.  Mahtoree  answered  his  premature  cry  of 
victory,  and  rushed  upon  the  entangled  youth,  with 
knife  and  tomahawk.  The  utmost  agility  of  Hard- 
Heart  had  not  sufficed  to  extricate  himself  in  season 
from  the  fallen  beast.  He  saw  that  his  case  was  des 
perate.  Feeling  for  his  knife,  he  took  the  blade  be 
tween  a  finger  and  thumb,  and  cast  it  with  admirable 
coolness  at  his  advancing  foe.  The  keen  weapon 
whirled  a  few  times  in  the  air  and  its  point  meeting 
the  naked  breast  of  the  impetuous  Sioux,  the  blade 
was  buried  to  the  buck-horn  haft. 

Mahtoree  laid  his  hand  on  the  weapon,  and  seem 
ed  to  hesitate  whether  to  withdraw  it  or  not.  For  a 
moment  his  countenance  darkened  with  the  most  in 
extinguishable  hatred  and  ferocity,  and  then,  as  if 
inwardly  admonished  how  little  time  he  had  to  lose 
he  staggered  to  the  edge  of  the  sands,  and  halted  with 
his  feet  in  the  water.  The  cunning  and  duplicity, 
which  had  ao  long  obscured  the  brighter  and  nobler 
traits  of  his  character,  were  lost  in  the  never  dying 
sentiment  of  pride,  which  he  had  imbibed  in  youth. 


460  THE    PRAIRIE. 

"  Boy  of  the  Loups !"  he  said  with  a  smile  of  grim 
satisfaction,  "  the  scalp  of  a  mighty  Dahcotah  shall 
never  dry  in  Pawnee  smoke !" 

Drawing  the  knife  from  the  wound  he  hurled  it 
towards  the  enemy  in  disdain.  Then  shaking  his 
arm  at  his  successful  foe,  his  swarthy  countenance 
appearing  to  struggle  with  volumes  of  scorn  and 
hatred  that  he  could  not  utter  with  the  tongue,  he 
cast  himself  headlong  into  one  of  the  most  rapid 
veins  of  the  current,  his  hand  still  waving  in  triumph 
above  the  fluid,  even  after  his  body  had  sunk  into  the 
tide  forever.  Hard-Heart  was  by  this  time  free.  The 
silence,  which  had  hitherto  reigned  in  the  bands,  was 
suddenly  broken  by  general  and  tumultuous  shouts. 
Fifty  of  the  adverse  warriors  were  already  in  the 
river,  hastening  to  destroy  or  to  defend  the  conqueror, 
and  the  combat  was  rather  on  the  eve  of  its  com 
mencement  than  near  its  termination.  But  to  all 
these  signs  of  danger  and  need,  the  young  victor  was 
insensible.  He  sprang  for  the  knife,  and  bounded 
with  the  foot  of  an  antelope  along  the  sands,  looking 
for  the  receding  fluid,  which  concealed  his  prize.  A 
dark,  bloody  spot  indicated  the  place,  and,  armed 
with  the  knife,  he  plunged  into  the  stream,  resolute 
to  die  in  the  flood,  or  to  return  with  his  trophy. 

In  the  mean  time  the  sands  became  a  scene  of 
bloodshed  and  violence.  Better  mounted  and  per 
haps  more  ardent,  the  Pawnees  had,  however,  reach 
ed  the  spot  in  sufficient  numbers  to  force  their  ene 
mies  to  retire.  The  victors  pushed  their  success  to 
the  opposite  shore  and  gained  the  solid  ground  in  the 
melee  of  the  fight.  Here  they  were  met  by  all  the 
unmounted  Telons  and,  in  their  turn,  they  were  forced 
to  give  way. 

The  combat  now  became  more  characteristic  and 
circumspect.  As  the  hot  impulses,  which  had  driven 
both  parties  to  mingle  in  so  deadly  a  struggle,  began 
to  cool,  the  chiefs  were  enabled  to  exercise  their  influ- 


THE    PRAIRIE. 


461 


ence  and  to  temper  the  assaults  with  prudence.  In 
consequence  )f  the  admonitions  of  their  leaders,  the 
Siouxes  sougit  such  covers  as  the  grass  afforded,  or 
here  and  there  some  bush  or  slight  inequality  of  the 
ground,  and  the  charges  of  the  Pawnee  warriors 
necessarily  became  more  wary,  and  of  course  less 
fatal. 

In  this  manner  the  contest  continued  with  a  varied 
success,  and  without  much  loss.  The  Siouxes  had 
succeeded  in  forcing  themselves  into  a  thick  growth 
of  rank  grass,  where  the  horses  of  their  enemies 
could  not  enter,  or  where,  when  entered,  they  were 
worse  than  useless.  It  became  necessary  to  dislodge 
the  Tetons  from  this  cover,  or  the  object  of  the 
combat  must  be  abandoned.  Several  desperate  efforts 
had  been  repulsed,  and  the  disheartened  Pawnees 
were  beginning  to  think  of  a  retreat,  when  the  well- 
known  war-cry  of  Hard-Heart  was  heard  at  hand,  and 
at  the  next  instant  the  chief  appeared  in  their  centre, 
flourishing  the  scalp  of  the  Great  Sioux,  as  a  banner 
that  would  lead  to  victory. 

He  was  greeted  by  a  shout  of  delight,  and  followed 
into  the  cover,  with  an  impetuosity  that,  for  the  mo 
ment,  drove  all  before  it.  But  the  bloody  trophy  in 
the  hand  of  the  partisan  served  as  an  incentive  to  the 
attacked  as  well  as  to  the  assailants.  Mahtoree  had 
left  many  a  daring  brave  behind  him  in  his  band,  and 
the  orator,  who  in  the  debates  of  that  day  had  mani 
fested  such  pacific  thoughts,  now  exhibited  the  most 
generous  self-devotion,  in  order  to  wrest  the  memo 
rial  of  a  man  he  had  never  loved,  from  the  hands  of 
the  avowed  enemies  of  his  people. 

The  result  was  in  favour  of  numbers.  After  a 
severe  struggle,  in  which  the  finest  displays  of  per 
sonal  intrepidity  were  exhibited  by  all  the  chiefs,  the 
Pawnees  were  compelled  to  retire  upon  the  open 
bottom,  closely  pressed  by  the  Siouxes,  who  failed 
2Q  2 


462  T«E    PRAIRIE, 

not  to  seize  each  foot  of  ground  that  was  ceded  by 
(heir  enemies.  Had  the  Tetons  stayed  their  efforts 
on  the  margin  of  the  grass,  it  is  probable  that  the 
honour  of  the  day  would  have  been  theirs,  notwith 
standing  the  irretrievable  loss  they  had  sustained  in 
the  death  of  Mahtoree.  But  the  more  reckless  braves 
of  the  band  were  guilty  of  an  indiscretion,  that  en 
tirely  changed  the  fortunes  of  the  tight,  and  suddenly 
stripped  them  of  all  their  hard-earned  advantages. 

A  Pawnee  chief  had  sunk  under  the  numerous 
wounds  he  had  received,  and  he  fell,  a  target  for  a 
dozen  arrows,  in  the  very  last  groupe  of  his  retiring 
party.  Regardless  alike  of  inflicting  further  injury 
on  their  foes,  and  of  the  temerity  of  the  act,  every 
Sioux  brave  bounded  forward  with  a  whoop,  each 
man  burning  with  the  wish  to  reap  the  high  renown 
of  striking  the  body  of  the  dead.  They  were  met 
by  Hard-Heart  and  a  chosen  knot  of  warriors,  all  of 
whom  were  just  as  stoutly  bent  on  saving  the  honoui 
of  their  nation  from  so  foul  a  stain.  The  struggle 
was  now  hand  to  hand,  and  blood  began  to  flow  more 
freely.  As  the  Pawnees  retired  with  the  body,  the 
Siouxes  pressed  upon  their  footsteps,  and  at  length 
the  whole  of  the  latter  broke  out  of  the  cover  with 
a  common  yell,  and  threatened  to  bear  down  all  op 
position  by  sheer  physical  superiority. 

The  fate  of  Hard-Heart  and  his  companions,  all  of 
whom  would  have  died  rather  than  relinquish  theii 
object,  would  now  have  been  quickly  sealed,  but  for 
a  powerful  and  unlooked-for  interposition  in  their 
favour.  A  shout  was  heard  from  a  little  brake  on 
the  left,  and  a  volley  from  the  fatal  western  rifle  im 
mediately  succeeded.  Some  five  or  six  Siouxes  leaped 
forward  and  fell  in  the  death  agony  at  the  reports,  and 
every  arm  among  them  was  as  suddenly  suspended, 
as  though  the  lightning  had  flashed  from  the  clouds  to 
aid  the  cause  of  the  Loups  Then  came  Ishmael 


THE    PRAIRIE.  463 

and  his  stout  sons  in  open  view,  bearing  down  upon 
their  late  treacherous  allies,  with  looks  and  voices 
that  proclaimed  the  character  of  their  succour. 

The  shock  was  too  much  for  the  fortitude  of  the 
Tetons.  Several  of  their  bravest  chiefs  had  already 
fallen,  and  those  that  remained  were  instantly  aban 
doned  by  the  whole  of  the  inferior  herd,  A  few  of 
the  most  desperate  braves  still  lingered  nigh  the  fatal 
symbol  of  their  honour,  and  there  nobly  met  their 
deaths  under  the  blows  of  the  re-encouraged  Pawnees. 
A  second  discharge  from  the  rifles  of  the  squatter 
and  his  party,  however,  completed  the  victory. 

The  Siouxes  were  now  to  be  seen  flying  to  more 
distant  covers,  with  the  same  eagerness  and  despera 
tion  as,  a  few  moments  before,  they  had  been  plunging 
into  the  fight.  The  triumphant  Pawnees  bounded 
forward  in  chase,  like  so  many  high-blooded  and  well- 
trained  hounds.  On  every  side  were  heard  the  cries 
of  victory  or  the  yell  of  revenge.  A  few  of  the  fugi 
tives  endeavoured  to  bear  away  the  bodies  of  their 
fallen  warriors,  but  the  hot  pursuit  quickly  compelled 
them  to  abandon  the  slain,  in  order  to  preserve  the 
living.  Among  all  the  struggles,  which  were  made 
on  that  occasion,  to  guard  the  honour  of  the  Siouxes 
from  the  stain  which  their  peculiar  opinions  attached 
to  the  possession  of  the  scalp  of  a  fallen  brave,  but 
one  solitary  instance  of  success  occurred. 

The  opposition  of  a  particular  chief  to  the  hostile 
proceedings  in  the  councils  of  that  morning  has  been 
already  seen.  But,  after  having  raised  his  voice  in 
vain,  in  support  of  peace,  his  arm  was  not  backward  in 
doing  its  duty  in  the  war.  His  prowess  has  been  men 
tioned,  and  it  was  chiefly  by  his  courage  and  example, 
that  the  Tetons  sustained  themselves  in  the  heroic 
manner  they  did,  when  the  death  of  Mahtoree  was 
known.  This  warrior,  who  was  called  in  the  figurative 
language  of  his  people  *  the  Swooping  Eagle,1  had 
been  the  last  to  abandon  vhe  hopes  of  victory.  When 


464  THE    PRAIRIE. 

he  found  that  the  support  of  the  dreaded  rifle  had 
robbed  his  band  of  their  hard-earned  advantages,  he 
sullenly  retired  amid  a  shower  of  missiles,  to  the 
secret  spot  where  he  had  hid  his  horse  in  the  mazes 
of  the  highest  grass.  Here  he  found  a  new  and  an 
entirely  unexpected  competitor,  ready  to  dispute  with 
him  for  the  possession  of  the  beast.  It  was  Boree- 
cheena,  the  aged  friend  of  Mahtoree ;  he  whose  voice 
had  been  given  in  opposition  to  his  own  wiser  opin 
ions,  transfixed  with  an  arrow,  and  evidently  suffering 
under  the  pangs  of  approaching  death. 

"  I  have  been  on  my  last  war-path,"  said  the  grirn 
old  warrior,  when  he  found  that  the  real  owner  of 
the  animal  had  come  to  claim  his  property ;  "  shall 
a  Pawnee  carry  the  white  hairs  of  a  Sioux  into  his 
village,  to  be  a  scorn  to  his  women  and  children  ?" 

The  other  grasped  his  hand,  answering  to  the  ap 
peal  with  the  stern  look  of  inflexible  resolution 
With  this  silent  pledge,  he  assisted  the  wounded 
man  to  mount.  So  soon  as  he  had  led  the  horse  to 
the  margin  of  the  cover,  he  threw  himself  also  on  its 
back,  and  securing  his  companion  to  his  belt,  he  is 
sued  on  the  open  plain,  trusting  entirely  to  the  well- 
known  speed  of  the  beast  for  their  mutual  safety. 
The  Pawnees  were  not  long  in  catching  a  view  of 
these  new  objects,  and  several  turned  their  steeds  to 
pursue.  The  race  continued  for  a  mile,  without  a 
murmur  from  the  sufferer,  though  in  addition  to  the 
agony  of  his  body,  he  had  the  pain  of  seeing  his  ene 
mies  approach  at  every  leap  of  their  horses. 

"  Stop,"  he  said,  raising  a  feeble  arm  to  check  the 
speed  of  his  companion  ;  "  the  Eagle  of  my  tribe 
must  spread  his  wings  wider.  Let  him  carry  the 
white  hairs  of  an  old  warrior  into  the  burnt-wood 
village!" 

Few  words  were  necessary  between  men  who 
were  governed  by  the  same  feelings  of  glory,  and 
who  were  so  well  trained  in  the  principles  of  their 


THE    PRAIRIE.  465 

romantic  honour.  The  Swooping  Eagle  threw  him 
self  from  the  back  of  the  horse  and  assisted  the  other 
to  alight.  The  old  man  raised  his  tottering  frame  to 
its  knees,  and  first  casting  a  glance  upward  at  the 
countenance  of  his  countryman,  as  if  to  bid  him 
adieu,  he  stretched  out  his  neck  to  the  blow  he  him 
self  invited.  A  few  strokes  of  the  tomahawk,  with  a 
circling  gash  from  the  knife,  sufficed  to  sever  the 
head  from  the  less  valued  trunk.  The  Teton  mount 
ed  again,  just  in  season  to  escape  a  flight  of  arrows 
which  came  from  his  eager  and  disappointed  pur 
suers.  Flourishing  the  grim  and  bloody  visage,  he 
darted  away  from  the  spot  with  a  shout  of  triumph, 
and  was  seen  scouring  the  plains,  as  though  he  were 
actually  borne  along  on  the  wings  of  the  powerful 
bird  from  whose  qualities  he  had  received  his  flatter 
ing  name.  The  Swooping  Eagle  reached  his  vil 
lage  in  safety.  He  was  one  of  the  few  Siouxes  who 
escaped  from  the  massacre  of  that  fatal  day,  and  for 
a  long  time  he  alone  of  the  saved  was  able  to  lift  his 
voice  again,  in  the  councils  of  his  nation,  with  un- 
diminished  confidence. 

The  knife  and  the  lance  cut  short  the  retreat  of 
the  larger  portion  of  the  vanquished.  Even  the  re 
tiring  party  of  the  women  and  children  were  scatter 
ed  by  the  conquerors,  and  the  sun  had  long  sunk  be 
hind  the  rolling  outline  of  the  western  horizon  be 
fore  the  fell  business  of  that  disastrous  defeat  was 
entirely  ended. 


466  THE  PRAIRIE. 

CHAPTER  XXXI. 

Which  is  the  merchant  here,  and  which  the  Jew. 

THE  day  dawned,  the  following  morning,  on  a 
more  tranquil  scene.  The  work  of  blood  had  en- 
tirely  ceased,  and  as  the  sun  arose,  its  light  was  shed 
on  a  broad  expanse  of  quiet  and  solitude.  The 
tents  of  Ishmael  were  still  standing,  where  they  had 
been  last  seen,  but  not  another  vestige  of  human  ex 
istence  could  be  traced  in  any  other  part  of  the 
waste.  Here  and  there  little  flocks  of  ravenous 
birds  were  sailing  and  screaming  above  those  spots 
where  some  heavy-footed  Teton  had  met  his  death, 
but  every  other  sign  of  the  recent  combat  had  passed 
away.  The  river  was  to  be  traced  far  through  the 
endless  meadows,  by  its  serpentine  and  smoking  bed, 
and  the  little  silvery  clouds  of  light  vapour,  which 
hung  above  the  pools  and  springs,  were  beginning  to 
melt  in  air,  as  they  felt  the  quickening  warmth, 
which,  pouring  from  the  glowing  sky,  shed  its  bland 
and  subtle  influence  on  every  object  of  the  vast  and 
unshadowed  region.  The  prairie  was  like  the  hea 
vens  after  the  dark  passage  of  the  gust,  soft,  calm, 
and  soothing. 

It  was  in  the  midst  of  such  a  scene  that  the  family 
of  the  squatter  assembled  to  make  their  final  decision 
concerning  the  several  individuals  who  had  been 
thrown  into  their  power  by  the  fluctuating  chances 
of  the  incidents  related  Every  being  possessing  life 
and  liberty  had  been  afoot  since  the  first  streak  of 
gray  had  lighted  the  east,  and  even  the  youngest  01 
the  erratic  brood  seemed  deeply  conscious  that  the 
moment  had  arrived,  when  circumstances  were 
about  to  transpire  that  might  leave  a  lasting  impres 
sion  on  the  wild  fortunes  of  their  semi-barbarous 
condition. 


THE    PRAIRIE,  467 

fshmael  moved  through  his  little  encampment, 
with  the  seriousness  of  one  who  had  been  unexpect 
edly  charged  with  matters  of  a  gravity  far  exceeding 
any  of  the  ordinary  occurrences  of  his  irregular  ex 
istence.  His  sons,  however,  who  had  so  often  found 
occasions  to  prove  the  inexorable  severity  of  theii 
father's  character,  saw,  in  his  sullen  mien  and  cold 
eye,  rather  a  detenuiinatioii  to  adhere  to  his  resolu 
tions,  which  usually  were  as  obstinately  enforced  as 
they  were  harshly  conceived,  than  any  evidences  of 
wavering  or  doubt  Even  Esther  was  sensibly  af 
fected  by  the  important  matters  that  pressed  so  heav 
ily  on  the  interests  of  her  family.  While  she  neg 
lected  none  of  those  domestic  offices,  which  would 
probably  have  proceeded  under  any  conceivable  cir 
cumstances,  just  as  the  world  turns  round  with  earth 
quakes  rending  its  crust,  and  volcanoes  consuming 
its  vitals,  yet  her  voice  was  pitched  to  a  lower  and 
more  foreboding  key  than  common,  and  the  still  fre 
quent  chidings  of  her  children  were  tempered  by 
something  like  the  milder  dignity  of  parental  au 
thority, 

Abiram,  as  usual,  seemed  the  one  most  given  to 
solicitude  and  doubt.  There  were  certain  misgivings, 
in  the  frequent  glances  that  he  turned  on  the  un 
yielding  countenance  of  Ishrnael,  which  might  have 
betrayed  how  little  of  their  former  confidence  and 
good-understanding  existed  between  them.  His  looks 
appeared  to  be  strangely  vacillating  between  hope 
and  fear.  At  times  his  countenance  lighted  with  the 
gleamings  of  a  sordid  joy,  as  he  bent  his  look  on  the 
tent  which  contained  his  recovered  prisoner,  and 
then,  again,  the  impression  seemed  unaccountably 
chased  away  by  the  shadows  of  intense  apprehen 
sion.  When  under  the  influence  of  the  latter  feel 
ing  his  eye  never  failed  to  seek  the  visage  of  his  dull 
and  impenetrable  kinsman.  But  there  he  rather 
found  reason  for  alarm  than  grounds  of  encourage- 


468  THE    PRAIRIE. 

ment,  lor  the  whole  character  of  the  squatter's  cotm 
tenance  expressed  the  fearful  truth,  that  he.  had  re 
deemed  his  dull  faculties  from  the  influence  of  the 
kidnapper,  and  that  his  thoughts  were  now  brooding 
only  on  the  achievement  of  his  own  stubborn  in 
tentions. 

It  was  in  this  state  of  things  that  the  sons  of  Ish- 
mael,  in  obedience  to  an  order  from  their  father,  con 
ducted  the  several  subjects  of  his  contemplated  de 
cisions,  from  their  places  of  confinement  into  the 
open  air.  No  one  was  exempted  from  this  arrange 
ment.  Middleton  and  Inez,  Paul  and  Ellen,  Obed 
and  the  trapper,  were  all  brought  forth  and  placed 
in  situations  that  were  deemed  suitable  to  receive 
the  sentence  of  their  arbitrary  judge.  The  younger 
children  gathered  around  the  spot,  in  a  sort  of  mo 
mentary  but  engrossing  curiosity,  and  even  Esther 
quitted  her  culinary  labours,  and  drew  nigh  to  listen. 

Hard-Heart  alone  of  all  his  band  was  present  to 
witness  the  novel  and  far  from  unimposing  spectacle. 
He  stood  leaning,  gravely,  on  his  lance,  while  the 
smoking  steed,  that  grazed  nigh,  showed  that  he  had 
ridden  far  and  hard  to  be  a  spectator  on  the  occasion. 

Ishmael  had  received  his  new  ally  with  a  coldness 
that  showed  his  entire  insensibility  to  that  delicacy, 
which  had  induced  the  young  chief  to  come  alone, 
in  order  that  the  presence  of  his  warriors  might  not 
create  uneasiness  or  distrust.  He  neither  courted 
their  assistance  nor  dreaded  their  enmity,  and  he  now 
proceeded  to  the  business  of  the  hour  with  as  much 
composure,  as  though  the  species  of  patriarchal  pow 
er,  he  actually  wielded,  was  universally  recognized. 

There  is  something  elevating  in  the  possession  of 
authority,  however  it  may  be  abused.  The  mind  is 
apt  to  make  some  efforts  to  prove  the  fitness  between 
its  qualities  and  the  condition  of  its  owner,  though  it 
may  often  fail,  and  render  that  ridiculous  which  was 
only  hated  before.  But  the  effeci  9&  Ishmael  Bush 


THE    PRAIRIE.  469 

was  not  so  disheartening.  Grave  in  exterior,  saturnine 
by  temperament,  formidable  by  his  physical  means, 
and  dangerous  from  his  lawless  obstinacy,  his  self- 
constituted  tribunal  excited  a  degree  of  awe,  to  which 
even  the  intelligent  Middleton  could  not  bring  him 
self  to  be  entirely  insensible.  Little  time,  however, 
was  given  to  arrange  his  thoughts,  for  the  squatter, 
though  unaccustomed  to  haste,  having  previously 
made  up  his  mind,  was  not  disposed  to  waste  the  mo 
ments  in  delay.  When  he  saw  that  all  were  in  their 
places,  he  cast  a  dull  look  over  his  prisoners,  and  ad 
dressed  himself  to  the  Captain,  as  the  principal  man 
among  the  imaginary  delinquents. 

"  I  am  called  upon  this  day  to  fill  the  office  which 
in  the  settlements  you  give  unto  judges,  who  are  set 
apart  to  decide  on  matters  that  arise  between  man  and 
man.  I  have  but  little  knowledge  of  the  ways  of  the 
courts,  though  there  is  a  rule  that  is  known  unto  all, 
and  which  teaches,  that  an  '  eye  must  be  returned  !  / 
for  an  eye,'  and  i  a  tooth  for  a  tooth.'  I  am  no  troub-  I  W 
ler  of  county-houses,  and  least  of  all  do  I  like  living 
on  a  plantation  that  the  sheriff  has  surveyed,  yet 
there  is  a  reason  in  such  a  law,  that  makes  it  a  safe 
rule  to  journey  by,  and  therefore  it  ar'  a  solemn  fact 
that  this  day  shall  I  abide  by  it,  and  give  unto  all  and 
each  that  which  is  his  due  and  no  more." 

When  Ishmael  had  delivered  his  mind  thus  far,  he 
paused  and  looked  about  him,  as  if  he  would  trace 
the  effects  in  the  countenances  of  his  hearers.  When 
his  eye  met  that  of  Middleton,  he  was  answered  by 
the  latter— 

"  If  the  evil-doer  is  to  be  punished,  and  he  that 
has  offended  none  to  be  left  to  go  at  large,  you  must 
change  situations  with  me,  and  become  a  prisoner 
instead  of  a  judge." 

"  You  mean  to  say  that  I  have  done  you  wrong,  in 
taking  the  lady  from  her  father's  house,  and  leading 
her  so  far  against  her  will  into  these  wild  districts," 
2R 


470  TfiE    PRAIRIE. 

returned  the  unmoved  squatter,  who  manifested  as 
little  resentment  as  he  betrayed  compunction  at  the 
charge.  "  I  shall  not  put  the  lie  on  the  back  of  an 
evil  deed,  and  deny  your  words.  Since  things  have 
come  to  this  pass  between  us,  I  have  found  time  to 
think  the  matter  over  at  my  leisure,  and  though  none 
of  your  swift  thinkers,  who  can  see,  or  who  pretend 
to  see  into  the  nature  of  all  things  by  a  turn  of  the 
eye,  yet  am  I  a  man  open  to  reason,  and  give  me  my 
time,  one  who  is  not  given  to  deny  the  truth.  There 
fore  have  I  mainly  concluded,  that  it  was  a  mistake 
to  take  a  child  from  its  parent,  and  the  lady  shall  be 
returned  whence  she  has  been  brought  as  tenderly 
and  as  safely  as  man  can  do  it." 

"  Ay,  ay,"  added  Esther,  "  the  man  is  right.  Pov 
erty  and  labour  bore  hard  upon  him,  especially  as 
county-officers  were  getting  troublesome,  and  in  a 
weak  moment  he  did  the  wicked  act,  but  he  has  lis 
tened  to  my  words,  and  his  mind  has  got  round  again 
into  its  honest  corner.  An  awful  and  a  dangerous 
thing  it  is  to  be  bringing  the  daughters  of  other  peo 
ple  into  a  peaceable  and  well-governed  family  I11 

"  And  who  will  thank  you  for  the  same,  after  what 
has  been  already  done  ?"  muttered  Abiram,  with  a 
grin  of  disappointed  cupidity,  in  which  malignity  and 
terror  were  disgustingly  united ;  "  when  the  devil  has 
once  made  out  his  account,  you  may  look  for  your 
receipt  in  full  only  at  his  hands." 

"  Peace !"  said  Ishmael,  stretching  his  heavy  hand 
towards  his  kinsman,  in  a  manner  that  instantly  si 
lenced  the  speaker.  "  Your  voice  is  like  a  raven's 
in  my  ears.  If  you  had  never  spoken  I  should  have 
been  spared  this  shame." 

"  Since  then  you  are  beginning  to  lose  sight  of  your 
errors,  and  to  see  the  truth,"  said  Middleton,  "  do  not 
things  by  halves,  but,  by  the  generosity  of  your  con 
duct,  purchase  friends  who  may  be  of  use  in  warding 
off  any  future  danger  from  the  law — " 


THE  PRAIRIE.  471 

"Young  man,"  interrupted  the  squatter  with  a 
dark  frown,  "  T/OM,  too,  have  s  lid  enough.  If  fear  of 
the  law  had  come  over  me,  you  would  not  be  here 
to  witness  the  manner  in  which  Ishmael  Bush  deals 
out  justice." 

"  Smother  not  your  good  intentions,  and  remember, 
if  you  contemplate  violence  to  any  among  us,  that 
the  arm  of  that  law  you  affect  to  despise,  reaches  far, 
and  that  though  its  movements  are  sometimes  slow, 
they  are  not  the  less  certain !" 

"  Yes,  there  is  too  much  truth  in  his  words,  squat 
ter;"  said  the  trapper,  whose  attentive  ears  rarely 
suffered  a  syllable  to  be  uttered  unheeded  in  his  pre 
sence.  "A  busy  and  a  troublesome  arm  it  often 
proves  to  be  here,  in  this  land  of  America  ;  where,  as 
they  say,  man  is  left  greatly  to  the  following  of  his* 
own  wishes,  compared  to  other  countries  ;  and  hap 
pier,  ay,  and  more  manly  and  more  honest,  too,  is  he 
for  the  privilege !  Why  do  you  know,  my  men,  that 
there  are  regions  where  the  law  is  so  busy  as  to  say, 
in  this  fashion  shall  you  live,  in  that  fashion  shall  you 
die,  and  in  such  another  fashion  shall  you  take  leave 
of  the  world,  to  be  sent  before  the  judgment  seat  of 
the  Lord  !  A  wicked  and  a  troublesome  meddling  is 
that,  with  the  business  of  One  who  has  not  made  his 
creatures  to  be  herded,  like  oxen,  and  driven  from 
field  to  field,  as  their  stupid  and  selfish  keepers  may 
judge  of  their  need  and  wants.  A  miserable  land 
must  that  be,  where  they  fetter  the  mind  as  well  as 
the  body,  and  where  the  creatures  of  God,  being 
born  children,  are  kept  so  by  the  wicked  inventions 
of  men  who  would  take  upon  themselves  the  office 
of  the  great  Governor  of  all !" 

During  the  delivery  of  this  very  pertinent  opinion 
Ishmael  was  content  to  be  silent,  though  the  look, 
with  which  he  regarded  the  speaker,  manifested  any 
other  feeling  than  that  of  amity.  When  the  old  man 


472  THE    PRAIRIE. 

was  done,  he  turned  to  Middleton,  and  continued  the 
subject  which  the  other  had  interrupted. 

"  As  to  ourselves,  young  Captain,  there  has  been 
wrong  on  both  sides.  If  I  have  borne  hard  upon 
your  feelings,  in  taking  away  your  wife  with  an  hon 
est  intention  of  giving  her  back  to  you,  when  the 
plans  of  that  devil  incarnate  were  answered,  so  have 
you  broken  into  my  encampment,  aiding  and  abetting, 
as  they  have  called  many  an  honester  bargain,  in  de 
stroying  my  property." 

"  But  what  I  did  was  to  liberate—-" 

"  The  matter  is  settled  between  us,"  interrupted 
Ishmael,  with  the  air  of  one  who,  having  made  up 
his  own  opinion  on  the  merits  of  the  question,  cared 
very  little  for  those  of  other  people  ;  "  you  and  your 
wife  are  free  to  go  and  come,  when  and  how  you 
please.  Abner,  set  the  Captain  at  liberty ;  and  now, 
if  you  will  tarry  until  I  am  ready  to  draw  nigher  to 
the  settlements,  you  shall  both  have  the  benefit  of 
carriage ;  if  not,  never  say  that  you  did  not  get  a 
friendly  offer." 

"  Now,  may  the  strong  oppress  me,  and  my  sins 
be  visited  harshly  on  my  own  head,  if  I  forget  your 
honesty,  however  slow  it  has  been  in  showing  itself," 
cried  Middleton,  hastening  to  the  side  of  the  weeping 
Inez,  the  instant  he  was  released ;  and  friend,  I  offer 
you  the  honour  of  a  soldier,  that  your  own  part  of 
this  transaction  shall  be  forgotten,  whatever  I  may 
deem  fit  to  have  done,  when  I  reach  a  place  where 
the  arm  of  government  can  make  itself  felt." 

The  dull  smile,  with  which  the  squatter  answered 
to  this  assurance,  proved  how  little  he  valued  the 
pledge  that  the  youth,  in  the  first  revulsion  of  his 
feelings,  was  so  free  to  make. 

"  Neither  fear  nor  favour,  but  what  I  call  justice 
has  brought  me  to  this  judgment,"  he  said;  "  do  you 
that  which  may  seem  right  in  your  eyes,  and  believe 


THE    PRAIRIE.  473 

that  the  world  is  wide  enough  to  hold  us  both,  with 
out  our  crossing  each  other's  path,  again !  If  you  ar 
content,  well;  if  you  ar'  not  content  seek  to  ease 
your  feelings  in  your  own  fashion.  I  shall  not  ask 
to  be  let  up,  when  you  once  put  me  fairly  down. 
And  now,  Doctor,  have  I  come  to  your  leaf  in  my 
accounts.  It  is  time  to  foot  up  the  small  reckoning, 
that  has  been  running  on  for  some  time  atwixt  us. 
With  you,  I  entered  into  open  and  manly  faith ;  in 
what  manner  have  you  kept  it  ?" 

The  singular  felicity,  with  which  Ishmael  had  con 
trived  to  shift  the  responsibility  of  all  that  had  passed, 
from  his  own  shoulders  to  those  of  his  prisoners, 
backed  as  it  was  by  circumstances  that  hardly  ad 
mitted  of  a  very  philosophical  examination  of  any 
mooted  point  in  ethics,  was  sufficiently  embarrassing 
to  the  several  individuals,  who  were  so  unexpectedly 
required  to  answer  for  a  conduct  which,  in  their  sim 
plicity  they  had  deemed  so  meritorious.  The  life  of 
Obed  had  been  so  purely  theoretic,  that  his  amaze 
ment  was  not  the  least  embarrassing  at  a  state  of 
things,  which  might  not  have  proved  so  very  remark 
able  had  he  been  a  little  more  practised  in  the  ways 
of  the  world.  The  worthy  naturalist  was  not  the 
first  by  many,  who  found  himself,  at  the  precise  mo 
ment  when  he  was  expecting  praise,  suddenly  arraign 
ed,  to  answer  for  the  very  conduct  on  which  he  rested 
all  his  claims  to  commendation.  Though  not  a  little 
scandalized,  at  the  unexpected  turn  of  the  transac 
tion,  he  was  fain  to  make  the  best  of  circumstances, 
and  to  bring  forth  such  matter  in  justification  as  first 
presented  itself  to  his  somewhat  disordered  faculties. 

"  That  there  did  exist  a  certain  compactum  01 
agreement  between  Obed  Batt,  M.  D.,  and  Ishmael 
Bush,  viator,  or  erratic  husbandman,"  he  said,  en 
deavouring  to  avoid  all  offence  in  the  use  of  terms, 
4 1  am  not  disposed  to  deny.  I  will  admit  that  it 
was  therein  conditioned,  or  stipulated  that  a  certain 
2  R2 


474  THE    PRAIRIE. 

journey  should  be  performed  conjointly,  or  in  com 
pany,  until  so  many  days  had  been  numbered.  But 
as  the  said  time  has  fully  expired,  I  presume  it  fair 
to  infer  that  the  bargain  may  now  be  said  to  be  ob 
solete." 

"  Ishmael ! "  interrupted  the  impatient  Esther, 
"  make  no  words  with  a  man  who  can  break  your 
/  bones  as  easily  as  set  them,  and  let  the  poisoning 
/  devil  go !  He's  a  cheat  from  box  to  phial.  Give 
V  him  half  the  prairie  and  take  the  other  half  yourself. 

He  an  acclimator !  I  will  engage  to  get  the  brats  ac 
climated  to  a  fever-and-agy  bottom  in  a  week,  and 
not  a  word  shall  be  uttered  harder  to  pronounce  than 
the  bark  of  a  cherry-  tree,  with  perhaps  a  drop  or  two 
of  western  comfort.  One  thing  ar'  a  fact,  Ishmael ; 
I  like  no  fellow  travellers  who  can  give  a  heavy  feel 
to  an  honest  woman's  tongue,  I — and  that  without 
caring  whether  her  household  is  in  order  or  out  of 
order." 

The  air  of  settled  gloom,  which  had  taken  posses 
sion  of  the  squatter's  countenance,  lighted  for  an  in 
stant  with  a  look  of  dull  drollery  as  he  answered — 

"  Different  people  might  judge  differently,  Esther, 
of  the  virtue  of  the  man's  art.  But  sin'  it  is  your 
wish  to  let  him  depart,  I  will  not  plough  the  prairie 
to  make  the  walking  rough.  Friend,  yoa  are  at  lib 
erty  to  go  into  the  settlements,  and  there  I  would 
advise  you  to  tarry,  as  men  like  me  who  make  but 
few  contracts  do  not  relish  the  custom  of  breaking 
them  so  easily." 

"  And  now,  Ishmael,"  resumed  his  conquering 
wife,  "  in  order  to  keep  a  quiet  family  and  to  smother 
all  heart-burnings  between  us,  show  yonder  Red-skin 
and  his  daughter,"  pointing  to  the  aged  Le  Balafre 
and  the  widowed  Tachechana,  "  the  way  to  their 
village,  and  let  us  say  to  them :  God  bless  you  and 
farewell  in  the  same  breath  ! " 

"  They  are  the  captives  of  the  Pawnee,  according 


THE  PRAIRIE, 


475 


to  the  rules  of  Indian  warfare,  and  I  cannot  meddle 
with  his  rights." 

"  Beware  the  devil,  my  man  !  He's  a  cheat  and  a 
tempter,  and  none  can  say  they  ar'  safe  with  his  aw 
ful  delusions  before  their  eyes  !  Take  the  advice  of 
one  who  has  the  honour  of  your  name  at  heart,  and 
send  the  tawny  Jezebel  away." 

The  squatter  laid  his  broad  hand  on  her  shoulder, 
and  looking  her  steadily  in  the  eye  he  answered,  in 
tones  that  were  both  stern  and  solemn — 

"  Woman,  we  have  that  before  us  which  calls  our 
thoughts  to  other  matters  than  the  follies  you  mean. 
Remember  what  is  to  come  and  put  your  silly  jeal 
ousy  to  sleep." 

"It  is  true,  it  is  true,"  murmured  his  wife  moving 
back  among  her  daughters ;  "  God  forgive  me,  that 
I  should  forget  it !" 

"  And,  now,  young  man ;  you,  who  have  so  often 
come  into  my  clearing,  under  the  pretence  of  lining 
the  bee  into  his  hole,"  resumed  Ishmael,  after  a 
momentary  pause,  as  if  to  recover  the  equilibrium 
of  his  mind,  "  with  you  there  is  a  heavier  account  to 
settle.  Not  satisfied  with  rummaging  my  camp,  you 
have  stolen  a  girl  who  is  akin  to  my  wife,  and  who 
I  had  calculated  to  make  one  day  a  daughter  of  my 
own." 

A  stronger  sensation  was  produced  by  this  than 
by  any  of  the  preceding  interrogations.  All  the 
young  men  bent  their  curious  eyes  on  Paul  and  El 
len,  the  former  of  whom  seemed  in  no  small  mental 
confusion,  while  the  latter  bent  her  face  on  her 
bosom  in  shame. 

"  Harkee,  friend  Ishmael  Bush,"  returned  the  bee- 
hunter,  who  found  that  he  was  expected  to  answer  to 
the  charge  of  burglary  as  well  as  to  that  of  abduc 
tion  ;  "  that  I  did  not  give  the  most  civil  treatment  to 
your  pots  and  pails,  I  am  not  going  to  gainsay.  If 
you  wilJ  name  the  price  you  put  upon  the  articles,  it 


476  THE    PRAIRIE. 

is  possible  the  damage  may  be  quietly  settled  between 
us,  and  all  hard  feelings  forgotten.  I  was  not  in  a 
church-going  humour  when  we  got  upon  your  rock, 
and  it  is  more  than  probable  there  was  quite  as  much 
kicking  as  preaching  among  your  wares ;  but  a  hole 
in  the  best  man's  coat  can  be  mended  by  money.  As 
to  the  matter  of  Ellen  Wade,  here,  it  may  not  be  got 
over  so  easily.  Different  people  have  different  opin 
ions  on  the  subject  of  matrimony.  Some  think  it  is 
enough  to  say  yes  and  no,  to  the  questions  of  the 
magistrate,  or  of  the  parson  if  one  happens  to  be 
handy,  in  order  to  make  a  quiet  house,  but  I  think 
that  where  a  young  woman's  mind  is  fairly  bent  on 
going  in  a  certain  direction,  it  will  be  quite  as  pru 
dent  to  let  her  body  follow.  Not  that  I  mean  to  say 
Ellen  was  not  altogether  forced  to  what  she  did,  and 
therefore  she  is  just  as  innocent,  in  this  matter,  as 
yonder  jackass,  who  was  made  to  carry  her,  and 
greatly  against  his  will,  too,  as  I  am  ready  to  swear 
he  would  say  himself,  if  he  could  speak  as  loud  as 
he  can  bray." 

"  Nelly,"  resumed  the  squatter,  who  paid  very  lit 
tle  attention  to  what  Paul  considered  a  highly  credit 
able  and  ingenious  vindication,  "  Nelly,  this  is  a  wide 
and  a  wicked  world,  on  which  you  have  been  in  such 
a  hurry  to  cast  yourself.  You  have  fed  and  you  have 
slept  in  my  camp  for  a  year,  and  I  did  hope  that  you 
had  found  the  free  air  of  the  borders  enough  to  your 
mind  to  wish  to  remain  among  us." 

"  Let  the  girl  have  her  will,"  muttered  Esther, 
from  the  rear ;  "  he,  who  might  have  persuaded  hei 
to  stay,  is  sleeping  in  the  cold  and  naked  prairie,  and 
little  hope  is  left  of  changing  her  humour ;  besides  a 
woman's  mind  is  a  wilful  thing,  and  not  easily  turned 
from  its  waywardness,  as  you  know  yourself,  my  man, 
or  I  should  not  be  here  the  mother  of  your  sons  and 
daughters." 

The  squatter  seemed   reluctant  to  abandon  his 


THE    PRAIRIE.  477 

views  on  the  abashed  girl  so  easily,  and  before  he 
answered  to  the  suggestion  of  his  wife,  he  turned  his 
usual  dull  look  along  the  line  of  the  curious  counte 
nances  of  his  boys,  as  if  to  see  whether  there  was 
not  one  among  them  fit  to  fill  the  place  of  the  de 
ceased.  Paul  was  not  slow  to  observe  the  expres 
sion,  and  hitting  nigher  than  usual  on  the  secret 
thoughts  of  the  other,  he  believed  he  had  fallen  on 
an  expedient  which  might  remove  every  difficulty. 

"  It  is  quite  plain,  friend  Bush,"  he  said,  "  that 
there  are  two  opinions  in  this  matter ;  yours  for  your 
sons  and  mine  for  myself.  I  see  but  one  amicable 
way  of  settling  this  dispute,  which  is  as  follows  : — do 
you  make  a  choice  among  your  boys  of  any  you  will, 
and  let  us  walk  off  together  for  the  matter  of  a  few 
miles  into  the  prairies ;  the  one  who  stays  behind, 
can  never  trouble  any  man's  house  or  his  fixen,  and 
the  one  who  comes  back  may  make  the  best  of  his 
way  he  can,  in  the  good  wishes  of  the  young  woman." 

"  Paul !"  exclaimed  the  reproachful  but  smothered 
voice  of  Ellen. 

"Never  fear,  Nelly,"  whispered  the  literal  bee- 
hunter,  whose  straight-going  mind  suggested  no  other 
motive  of  uneasiness,  on  the  part  of  his  mistress, 
than  concern 'for  himself;  "1  have  taken  the  mea 
sure  of  them  all,  and  you  may  trust  an  eye  that  has 
seen  to  line  so  many  a  bee  into  his  hole !" 

"  I  am  not  about  to  set  myself  up  as  a  ruler  of  in 
clinations,"  observed  the  squatter.  "  If  the  heart  of 
the  child  is  truly  in  the  settlements  let  her  declare  it; 
she  shall  have  no  let  or  hindrance  from  me.  Speak, 
Nelly,  and  let  what  you  say  come  from  your  wishes, 
without  fear  or  favour.  Would  you  leave  us  to  go 
with  this  young  man  into  the  settled  countries,  or  will 
you  tarry  and  share  the  little  we  have  to  give,  but 
which  to  you  we  give  so  freely?" 

Thus  called  upon  to  decide,  Ellen  could  no  longer 
hesitate.  The  glance  of  her  eye  was  at  first  timid 


478  THE    PRAIRIE. 

and  furtive.  But  as  the  colour  flushed  her  features, 
and  her  breathing  became  quick  and  excited,  it  was 
apparent  that  the  native  spirit  of  the  girl  was  gaining 
the  ascendancy  over  the  bashfulness  of  sex. 

"  You  took  me  a  fatherless,  impoverished  and  friend 
less  orphan,1'  she  said,  struggling  to  command  her 
voice,  u  when  others,  who  live  in  what  may  be  called 
aifluence  compared  to  your  state,  chose  to  forget  me  ; 
and  may  Heaven  in  its  goodness  bless  you  for  it ' 
The  little  I  have  done  will  never  pay  you  for  that 
one  act  of  kindness.  I  like  not  your  manner  of  life ; 
it  is  different  from  the  ways  of  my  childhood,  and  it 
is  different  from  my  wishes  ;  still  had  you  not  led  this 
sweet  and  unoffending  lady  from  her  friends,  I  should 
never  have  quitted  you,  until  you  yourself  had  said, 
4  go,  and  the  blessing  of  God  go  with  you  !'  " 

"  The  act  was  not  wise,  but  it  is  repented  of,  and 
so  far  as  it  can  be  done,  m  safety,  it  shall  be  repaired. 
Now,  speak  freely ;  will  you  tarry,  or  will  you  go  ?" 

"  I  have  promised  the  lady,"  said  Ellen,  dropping 
her  eyes  again  to  the  earth,  "not  to  leave  her;  and 
after  she  has  received  so  much  wrong  from  our  hands, 
she  may  have  a  right  to  claim  that  I  keep  my  word." 

"  Take  the  cords  from  the  young  man,"  said  Ish- 
mael.  When  the  order  was  obeyed,  he  motioned  for 
all  his  sons  to  advance,  and  he  placed  them  in  a  row 
before  the  eyes  of  Ellen.  "  Now  let  there  be  no 
trifling,  but  open  your  heart.  Here  ar'  all  I  have  to 
offer,  besides  a  hearty  welcome." 

The  distressed  girl  turned  her  abashed  look  from 
the  countenance  of  one  of  the  young  men  to  that  of 
another,  until  her  eye  met  the  troubled  and  working 
features  of  Paul.  Then  nature  got  the  better  of 
forms.  She  threw  herself  into  the  arms  of  the  bee- 
hunter,  and  sufficiently  proclaimed  her  choice  by 
sobbing  aloud.  Ishmael  signed  to  his  sons  to  fall 
back,  and  evidently  mortified,  though  perhaps  not 
disappointed  by  the  result,  he  no  longer  hesitated. 


THE    PRAIRIE.  479 

'Take  her,"  he  said,  "and  deal  honestly  and 
kindly  by  her.  The  girl  has  that  in  her  which  should 
make  her  welcome,  in  any  man's  house,  and  I  should 
be  loth  to  hear  she  ever  came  to  harm.  And  now  1 
have  settled  with  you  all  on  terms  that  I  hope  you 
will  not  find  hard,  but  on  the  contrary  just  and  manly. 
I  have  only  another  question  to  ask,  and  that  is  of 
the  Captain ;  do  you  choose  to  profit  by  my  teams  in 
going  into  the  settlements,  or  not?" 

"  1  hoar,  that  some  soldiers  of  my  party  are  looking 
for  me  near  the  villages  of  the  Pawnees,"  said  Mid- 
dleton,  "and  I  intend  to  accompany  this  chief,  in 
order  to  join  my  men." 

"  Then  the  sooner  we  part  the  better.  Horses  are 
plenty  on  the  bottom.  Go ;  make  your  choice  and 
leave  us  in  peace." 

"  That  is  impossible,  while  the  old  man,  who  has 
been  a  friend  of  my  family  near  half  a  century  is 
left  a  prisoner.  What  has  he  done,  that  he  too  is 
not  released?" 

"  Ask  no  questions  that  may  lead  to  deceitful  an 
swers,"  sullenly  returned  the  squatter;  "  I  have  deal 
ings  of  my  own  with  that  trapper  that  it  may  not  befit 
an  officer  of  the  States  to  meddle  with.  Go,  while 
your  road  is  open  " 

"  The  man  may  be  giving  you  honest  counsel,  and 
that  which  it  concerns  you  all  to  hearken  to,"  observ 
ed  the  old  captive,  who  seemed  in  no  uneasiness  at 
the  extraordinary  condition  in  which  he  found  him 
self.  "  The  Siouxes  are  a  numberless  and  bloody- 
minded  race,  and  no  one  can  say  how  long  it  may  be* 
afore  they  will  be  out  again  on  the  scent  of  revenge. 
Therefore  I  say  to  you,  go,  also,  and  take  especial 
heed,  in  crossing  the  bottoms,  that  you  get  not  en 
tangled  again  in  the  fires,  for  the  honest  hunters  often 
burn  the  grass  at  this  season,  in  order  that  the  buffa 
loes  may  find  a  sweeter  and  a  gieener  pasturage  in 
the  spring." 


480 


THE    PRAIRIE. 


"  I  should  forget  not  only  my  gratitude,  but  my 
duty  to  the  laws,  were  I  to  leave  this  prisoner  in  your 
hands,  even  by  his  own  consent,  without  knowing  the 
nature  of  his  crime,  in  which  we  may  have  all  been 
his  innocent  accessaries." 

"  Will  it  satisfy  you  to  know,  that  he  merits  all  he 
will  receive?" 

"  It  will  at  least  change  my  opinion  of  his  char- 
acter." 

"  Look  then  at  this,"  said  Ishmael,  placing  before 
the  eyes  of  the  Captain  the  bullet  that  had  been 
found  about  the  person  of  the  dead  Asa ;  "  with  this 
morsel  of  lead  did  he  lay  low  as  fine  a  boy  as  ever 
gave  joy  to  a  parent's  eyes !" 

"  I  cannot  believe  that  he  has  done  this  deed,  unless 
in  self-defence,  or  on  some  justifiable  provocation. 
That  he  knew  of  the  death  of  your  son,  I  confess 
for  he  pointed  out  the  brake  in  which  the  body  lay, 
but  that  he  has  wrongfully  taken  his  life,  nothing  but 
his  own  acknowledgment  shall  persuade  me  to  be 
lieve." 

"  I  have  lived  long,"  commenced  the  trapper,  who 
found,  by  the  general  pause,  that  he  was  expected  to 
vindicate  himself  from  the  heavy  imputation,  "  and 
much  evil  have  I  seen  in  my  day.  Many  are  the 
prowling  bears  and  leaping  panthers  that  I  have  met, 
fignting  for  the  morsel  which  has  been  thrown  in  their 
way,  and  many  are  the  reasoning  men,  that  I  have 
looked  on  striving  against  each  other  unto  death,  in 
order  that  human  madness  might  also  have  its  hour. 
For  myself,  I  hope,  there  is  no  boasting  in  saying 
that  though  my  hand  has  been  needed  in  putting  down 
wickedness  and  oppression,  it  has  never  struck  a 
blow  of  which  its  owner  will  be  ashamed  to  hear  at 
a  reckoning  that  shall  be  far  mightier  than  this." 

"  If  my  father  has  taken  life  from  one  of  his  tribe," 
said  the  young  Pawnee,  whose  quick  eye  had  read 
the  meaning  of  what  was  passing,  in  the  bullet  and  i.u 


THE    PRAIRIE.  481 

the  countenances  of  the  others,  "  let  him  give  himself 
up  to  the  friends  of  the  dead,  like  a  warrior.  He  is 
too  just  to  need  thongs  to  lead  him  to  judgment." 

"  Boy,  I  hope  you  do  me  justice.  If  I  had  done 
the  foul  deed,  with  which  they  charge  me,  I  should 
have  manhood  enough  to  come  and  offer  my  head  tc 
the  blow  of  punishment,  as  all  good  and  honest  Red 
men  do  the  same."  Then  giving  his  anxious  Indiai 
friend  a  look,  to  reassure  him  of  his  innocence,  he 
turned  to  the  rest  of  his  attentive  and  interested  lis 
teners,  as  he  continued  in  English,  "  1  have  a  short 
story  to  tell,  and  he  that  believes  it  will  believe  the 
truth,  and  he  that  disbelieves  it  will  only  lead  himself 
astray,  and  perhaps  his  neighbour  too.  We  were  all 
outlying  about  your  camp,  friend  squatter,  as  by  this 
time  you  may  begin  to  suspect,  when  we  found  that  it 
contained  a  wronged  and  imprisoned  lady,  with  in 
tentions  neither  more  honest  nor  dishonest  than  to 
set  her  free,  as  in  nature  and  justice  she  had  a  right 
to  be.  Seeing  that  I  was  more  skilled  in  scouting  than 
the  others,  while  they  lay  back  in  the  cover,  I  was 
sent  upon  the  plain  on  the  business  of  the  recon 
noitrings.  You  little  thought  that  one  was  so  nigh, 
who  saw  into  all  the  circumventions  of  your  hunt, 
but  there  was  I,  sometimes  flat  behind  a  bush  or  a 
tuft  of  grass,  sometimes  rolling  down  a  hill  into  a 
bottom,  and  little  did  you  dream  that  your  motions 
were  watched,  as  the  panther  watches  the  drinking 
deer.  Lord,  squatter,  when  I  was  a  man  in  the  pride 
and  strength  of  my  days,  I  have  looked  in  at  the  tent 
door  of  the  enemy,  and  they  sleeping,  ay,  and  dream 
ing  too  of  being  at  home  and  in  peace !  I  wish  there 
was  time  to  give  you  the  partic — " 

"  Proceed  with  your  explanation,"  interrupted  the 
impatient  Middleton. 

"  Ah  !  and  a  bloody  and  wicked  sight  it  was  !  There 
I  lay  in  a  low  bed  of  grass,  as  two  of  the  hunters  came 
tiigh  each  other.     Their  meeting  was  not  cordial,  nor 
2S 


482  THE    PRAIRIE. 

such  as  men,  who  meet  in  a  desert,  should  give  each 
other;  but  I  thought  they  would  have  parted  in 
peace,  until  I  saw  one  put  his  rifle  to  the  other's 
back  and  do  what  I  call  a  treacherous  and  sinful 
murder.  It  was  a  noble  and  a  manly  youth,  that 
boy ! — Though  the  powder  burnt  his  coat  he  stood 
the  shock  for  more  than  a  minute  before  he  fell. 
Then  was  he  brought  to  his  knees  and  a  desperate 
and  manful  fight  he  made  to  the  brake,  like  a  wound 
ed  bear  seeking  a  cover  \v 

"And  why,  in  the  name  of  heavenly  justice,  did 
you  conceal  this !"  cried  Middleton. 

"  What !  think  you,  Captain,  that  a  man,  who  has 
spent  more  than  threescore  years  in  the  wilderness, 
has  not  learned  the  virtue  of  discretion.  What  red 
warrior  runs  to  tell  the  sights  he  has  seen  until  a  fitting 
time  ?  I  took  the  Doctor  to  the  place,  in  order  to  see 
whether  his  skill  might  not  come  in  use,  and  our 
friend,  the  bee-hunter,  being  in  company,  was  know 
ing  to  the  fact  that  the  bushes  held  the  body." 

"Ay;  it  ar'  true,"  said  Paul;  "but  not  knowing 
what  private  reasons  might  make  the  old  trapper 
wish  to  hush  the  matter  up,  I  said  as  little  about  the 
thing  as  possible ;  which  was  just  nothing  at  all." 

"  And  who  was  the  perpetrator  of  this  deed  ?  de 
manded  Middleton. 

"  If  by  perpetrator  you  mean  him  who  did  the  act, 
yonder  stands  the  man ;  and  a  shame,  and  a  disgrace 
is  it  to  our  race,  that  he  is  of  the  blood  and  family  of 
the  dead." 

"  He  lies  !  he  lies  !"  shrieked  Abiram.  "  I  did  no 
murder ;  I  gave  but  blow  for  blow." 

The  voice  of  Ishmael  was  deep  and  even  awful, 
as  he  answered — 

"  It  is  enough.  Let  the  old  man  go.  Boys,  put 
the  brother  of  your  mother  in  his  place." 

"  Touch  me  not !"  cried  Abiram.  "  Til  call  on 
God  to  curse  ye  if  you  touch  me  ! " 


THE  PRAIRIE.  483 

The  wild  and  disordered  gleam  of  hi.s  eye  at  first 
induced  the  young  men  to  arrest  their  steps,  but 
when  Abner,  older  and  more  resolute  than  the  rest, 
advanced  full  upon  him,  with  a  countenance  that 
bespoke  the  hostile  state  of  his  mind,  the  affrighted 
criminal  turned,  and  making  an  abortive  effort  to 
fly,  fell  with  his  face  to  the  earth,  to  all  appearance 
perfectly  dead.  Amid  the  low  exclamations  of  hor 
ror,  which  succeeded,  Ishmael  made  a  gesture  which 
commanded  his  sons  to  bear  the  body  into  a  tent. 

44  Now,"  he  said,  turning  to  those  who  were  stran 
gers  in  his  ramp,  "  nothing  is  left  to  be  done,  but  for 
each  to  go  his  own  road.  I  wish  you  all  well  ;  and 
to  you,  Ellen,  though  you  may  not  prize  the  gift,  I 
say,  God  bless  you  !  " 

Middleton,  awe-struck  by  what  he  believed  a  man 
ifest  judgment  of  Heaven,  made  no  further  resist 
ance,  but  prepared  to  depart.  The  arrangements 
were  brief  and  soon  completed.  When  they  were 
all  ready,  they  took  a  short  and  silent  leave  of  the 
squatter  and  his  family,  and  then  the  whole  of  the 
singularly  constituted  party  was  seen  slowly  and  si 
lently  following  the  victorious  Pawnee,  towards  his 
distant  villages. 


CHAPTEE 

"  And  I  beseech  you, 
Wrest  once  the  law,  to  your  authority  : 
To  do  a  great  right,  do  a  little  wrong." 

Shakspeare. 

ISHMAEL  awaited  long  and  patiently  for  the  motley 
train  of  Hard-Heart  to  disappear.  When  his  scout 
reported  that  the  last  straggler  of  the  Indians,  who 

had  joined  their  chief  so  soon  as  he  was  at  such  a 
Us, 


484  THE    PRAIRIE. 

distance  from  the  encampment  as  to  excite  no  jeal 
ousy  by  their  numbers,  had  gone  behind  the  most 
distant  swell  of  the  prairie,  he  gave  forth  the  order 
to  strike  his  tents.  The  cattle  were  already  in  the 
gears,  and  the  moveables  were  soon  transferred  to 
their  usual  places  in  the  different  vehicles.  When 
all  these  arrangements  were  completed,  the  little 
wagon,  which  had  so  long  been  the  tenement  of  Inez, 
was  drawn  before  the  tent,  into  which  the  insensible 
body  of  the  kidnapper  had  been  borne,  and  prepara 
tions  were  evidently  made  for  the  reception  of 
another  prisoner.  Then  it  was,  as  Abiram  appeared, 
pale,  terrified,  and  tottering  beneath  a  load  of  de 
tected  guilt,  that  the  younger  members  of  the  family 
were  first  apprized  that  he  still  belonged  to  the  class 
of  the  living.  A  general  and  superstitious  impression 
had  spread  among  them  that  his  crime  had  been  vis 
ited  by  a  terrible  retribution  from  Heaven,  and  they 
now  gazed  at  him,  as  at  a  being  who  belonged  rather 
to  another  world,  than  as  a  mortal,  who  like  them 
selves  had  still  to  endure  the  last  agony,  before  the 
great  link  of  human  existence  could  be  broken. 
The  criminal  himself  appeared  to  be  in  a  state  in 
which  the  most  sensitive  and  startling  terror  was 
singularly  combined  with  total  physical  apathy.  The 
truth  was,  that  while  his  person  had  been  numbed 
by  the  shock,  his  susceptibility  to  apprehension  kept 
his  agitated  mind  in  unrelieved  distress.  When  he 
found  himself  in  the  open  air,  he  looked  about  him, 
in  order  to  gather,  if  possible,  some  evidences  of  his 
future  fate  from  the  countenances  of  those  who  were 
gathered  round.  Seeing  every  where  grave  but 
composed  features,  and  meeting  in  no  eye  any  ex 
pression  that  threatened  immediate  violence,  the 
miserable  man  began  to  revive,  and,  by  the  time  he 
was  seated  in  the  wagon,  his  artful  faculties  were  be 
ginning  to  plot  the  expedients  of  parrying  the  just 
resentment  of  his  kinsmen,  or,  if  these  should  fail 


THE    PRAIRIE.  485 

him,  the  means  of  escaping  from  a  punishment  that 
his  forebodings  told  him  would  be  terrible. 

Throughout  the  whole  of  these  preparations  Ish- 
mael  had  rarely  spoken.  A  gesture,  or  a  glance  of 
the  eye,  had  served  to  indicate  his  pleasure  to  his 
sons,  and  with  these  simple  methods  of  communica 
tion,  all  parties  appeared  perfectly  content.  When 
the  signal  was  made  to  proceed,  the  squatter  threw 
his  rifle  into  the  hollow  of  his  arm,  and  his  axe  across 
his  shoulder,  taking  the  lead  as  usual.  Esther  had 
buried  herself  in  the  wagon  which  contained  her 
daughters;  the  y®ung  men  took  their  customary 
places  among  the  cattle,  or  nigh  the  teams,  and  the 
whole  proceeded,  at  their  ordinary,  dull,  but  unre« 
mitted  gait. 

For  the  first  time  in  many  a  day,  the  squatter  turn 
ed  his  back  towards  the  setting  sun.  The  route  he 
held  was  in  the  direction  of  the  settled  country, 
and  the  manner  in  which  he  moved  sufficed  to  tell 
his  children,  who  had  learned  to  read  their  father's 
determinations  in  his  mien,  that  their  journey  on  the 
prairie  was  shortly  to  have  an  end.  Still  nothing 
else  transpired  for  hours,  that  might  denote  the  ex 
istence  of  any  sudden  or  violent  revolution  in  the 
purposes  or  feelings  of  Ishmael.  During  all  that 
time  he  marched  alone,  keeping  a  few  hundred  rods 
in  front  of  his  teams,  seldom  giving  any  sign  of  extra 
ordinary  excitement.  Once  or  twice,  indeed,  his  huge 
figure  was  seen  standing  on  the  summit  of  some  dis 
tant  swell,  with  the  head  bent  towards  the  earth,  as 
he  leaned  on  his  rifle ;  but  then  these  moments  of 
intense  thought  were  rare  and  of  short  continuance. 
The  train  had  long  thrown  its  shadows  towards  the 
east  before  any  material  alteration  was  made  in  the 
disposition  of  their  march.  Water-courses  were 
waded,  plains  were  passed,  and  rolling  ascents  risen 
and  descended,  without  producing  the  smallest 
change.  Long  practised  in  the  difficulties  of  that 
2S2 


486  THE    PRAIRIE. 

peculiar  species  of  travelling  in  which  he  was  en 
gaged,  the  squatter  avoided  the  more  impracticable 
obstacles  of  their  route  by  a  sort  of  instinct,  invari 
ably  inclining  to  the  right  or  left  in  season,  as  the 
formation  of  the  land,  the  presence  of  trees,  or  the 
signs  of  rivers  forewarned  him  of  the  necessity  of 
such  movements. 

At  length  the  hour  arrived  when  charity  to  man 
and  beast  required  a  temporary  suspension  of  labour. 
Ishmael  chose  the  required  spot  with  all  his  customary 
sagacity.  The  regular  formation  of  the  country,  such 
as  it  has  been  described  in  the  earlier  pages  of  our 
book,  had  long  been  interrupted  by  a  more  unequal 
and  broken  surface.  There  were,  it  is  true,  in  gene 
ral,  the  same  wide  and  empty  wastes,  the  same  rich 
and  extensive  bottoms,  and  that  wild  and  singular 
combination  of  swelling  fields  and  of  nakedness, 
which  gives  that  region  the  appearance  of  an  ancient 
country,  incomprehensibly  stripped  of  its  people  and 
their  dwellings.  But  these  distinguishing  features  of 
the  rolling  prairies  had  long  been  interrupted  by 
irregular  hillocks,  occasional  masses  of  rock,  and 
broad  belts  of  forest. 

Ishmael  chose  a  spring,  that  broke  out  of  the  base 
of  a  rock  some  forty  or  fifty  feet  in  elevation,  as  a 
place  well  suited  to  the  wants  of  his  herds.  The 
water  moistened  a  small  swale  that  lay  beneath  the 
spot,  which  yielded,  in  return  for  the  fecund  gift  a 
scanty  growth  of  grass.  A  solitary  willow  had  taken 
root  in  the  alluvion,  and  profiting  by  its  exclusive 
possession  of  the  soil,  the  tree  had  sent  up  its  stem 
far  above  the  crest  of  the  adjacent  rock,  whose  peaked 
summit  had  once  been  shadowed  by  its  branches. 
But  its  loveliness  had  gone  with  the  mysterious  prin 
ciple  of  life.  As  if  in  mockery  of  tne  meagre  show 
of  verdure  that  the  spot  exhibited,  it  remained  a 
noble  and  solemn  monument  of  former  fertility.  The 
larger,  ragged  and  fantsatic  branches  still  obtruded 


THE    PRAIRIE.  487 

themselves  abroad,  while  the  white  g.nd  hoary  trunk 
stood  naked  and  tempest-riven.  Not  a  leaf,  nor  a 
sign  of  vegetation  was  to  be  seen  about  it.  In  all 
things  it  proclaimed  the  frailty  of  existence  and  the 
fulfilment  of  time. 

Here  Ishmael,  after  making  the  customary  signal 
for  the  train  to  approach,  threw  his  vast  frame  upon 
the  earth,  and  seemed  to  muse  on  the  deep  responsi 
bility  of  his  present  situation.  His  sons  were  not 
long  in  arriving,  for  the  cattle  no  sooner  scented  the 
food  and  water  than  they  quickened  their  pace,  and 
then  succeeded  the  usual  bustle  and  avocations  of  a 
halt. 

The  impression  made  by  the  scene  of  that  morning 
was  not  so  deep  or  lasting  on  the  children  of  Ishmael 
and  Esther,  as  to  induce  them  to  forget  the  wants  of 
nature.  But  while  the  sons  were  searching  among 
their  stores,  for  something  substantial  to  appease  their 
hunger,  and  the  younger  fry  were  wrangling  about 
their  simple  dishes,  the  parents  of  the  unnurtured 
family  were  far  differently  employed. 

When  the  squatter  saw  that  all,  even  to  the  re 
viving  Abiram,  were  busy  in  administering  to  their 
appetites,  he  gave  his  downcast  partner  a  glance  of 
his  eye,  and  withdrew  towards  a  distant  roll  of  the 
land,  which  bounded  the  view  towards  the  east.  The 
meeting  of  the  pair,  in  this  naked  spot,  was  like  an 
interview  held  above  the  grave  of  their  murdered 
son.  Ishmael  signed  to  his  wife  to  take  a  seat  beside 
him  on  a  fragment  of  rock,  and  then  followed  a  space, 
during  which  neither  seemed  disposed  to  speak. 

'•'•  We  have  journeyed  together  long,  through  good 
and  bad,"  Ishmael  at  length  commenced ;  "  much 
have  we  had  to  try  us,  and  some  bitter  cups  have  we 
been  made  to  swallow,  my  woman ;  but  nothing  like 
this  has  ever  before  lain  in  my  path." 

"  It  is  a  heavy  cross  for  a  poor,  misguided,  and 
fiinful  woman  to  bear!"  returned  Esther  bowing  her 


488  THE  PRAIRIE. 

head  to  her  knees,  and  partly  concealing  her  fare  in 
her  dress.  "  A  heavy  and  a  burdensome  weight  is  this 
to  be  laid  upon  the  shoulders  of  a  sister  and  a 
mother!" 

"  Ay;  therein  lies  the  hardship  of  the  case.  1  had 
brought  my  mind  to  the  punishment  of  that  houseless 
trapper,  with  no  great  strivings,  for  the  man  had  done 
me  few  favours,  and  God  forgive  me  if  I  suspected 
him  wrongfully  of  much  evil !  This  is,  however, 
bringing  shame  in  at  one  door  of  my  cabin,  in  order 
to  drive  it  out  at  the  other.  But  shall  a  son  of  mine 
be  murdered,  and  he  who  did  it  go  at  large? — the 
boy  would  never  rest!" 

"  Oh,  Ishmael,  we  pushed  the  matter  far !  Had 
little  been  said,  who  would  have  been  the  wiser? 
Our  consciences  might  then  have  been  quiet." 

"  Eest'er,"  said  the  husband,  turning  on  her  a  re 
proachful  but  still  a  dull  regard,  "  the  hour  has  been, 
my  woman,  when  you  thought  another  hand  had  done 
this  wickedness?" 

I  did,  I  did !  the  Lord  gave  me  the  ieeling,  as  a 
punishment  for  my  sins !  but  his  mercy  was  not  slow 
in  lifting  the  veil ;  I  looked  into  the  book,  Ishmael, 
and  there  I  found  the  words  of  comfort." 

"  Have  you  that  book  at  hand,  woman ;  it  may 
happen  to  advise  in  such  a  dreary  business.  ' 

Esther  fumbled  in  her  pocket  and  was  not  long  in 
producing  the  fragment  of  a  bible,  which  had  been 
thumbed  and  smoke-dried  till  the  print  was  nearly 
illegible.  It  was  the  only  article,  in  the  nature  of  a 
book,  that  was  to  be  found  among  the  chattels  of  the 
squatter,  and  it  had  been  preserved  by  his  wife,  as  a 
melancholy  relic  of  more  prosperous,  and  possibly 
of  more  innocent  days.  She  had  long  been  in  the 
habit  of  resorting  to  it,  under  the  pressure  of  such 
circumstances  as  were  palpably  beyond  human  re 
dress,  though  her  spirit  and  resolution  rarely  needed 
support  under  those  that  admitted  of  reparation 


THE    PRAIRIE.  489 

through  any  of  the  ordinary  means  of  reprisal.  In 
this  manner  Esther  had  made  a  sort  of  convenient 
ally  of  the  word  of  God  ;  rarely  troubling  it  for  coun 
sel,  however,  except  when  her  own  incompetency 
to  avert  an  evil  was  too  apparent  to  be  disputed.  We 
shall  leave  casuists  to  determine  how  far  she  resem 
bled  any  other  believers  in  this  particular,  and  pro* 
ceed  directly  with  the  matter  before  us. 

"  There  are  many  awful  passages  in  these  pages 
Ishmael,"  she  said,  when  the  volume  was  opened, 
and  the  leaves  were  slowly  turning  under  her  finger, 
"  and  some  there  ar'  that  teach  the  rules  of  punish 
ment." 

Her  husband  made  a  gesture  for  her  to  find  one  of 
those  brief  rules  of  conduct,  which  have  been  re 
ceived  among  all  Christian  nations  as  the  direct  man 
dates  of  the  Creator,  and  which  have  been  found  so  just, 
that  even  they,  who  deny  their  high  authority,  admit 
their  wisdom.  Ishmael  listened  with  grave  attention, 
as  his  companion  read  all  those  verses,  which  her 
memory  suggested,  and  which  were  thought  applica 
ble  to  the  situation  in  which  they  found  themselves. 
He  made  her  show  him  the  words,  which  he  regard 
ed  with  a  sort  of  strange  reverence.  A  resolution 
once  taken  was  usually  irrevocable,  in  one  who  was 
moved  with  so  much  difficulty.  He  put  his  hand 
upon  the  book,  and  closed  the  pages  himself,  as  much 
as  to  apprize  his  wife  that  he  was  satisfied.  Esther, 
who  so  well  knew  his  character,  trembled  at  the 
action,  and  casting  a  glance  at  his  steady  but  contract 
ing  eye,  she  said — 

"  And  yet,  Ishmael,  my  blood,  and  the  blood  of  my 
children,  is  in  his  veins!  cannot  mercy  be  shown?" 

"  Woman,"  he  answered  sternly,  "  when  we  be 
lieved,  that  miserable  old  trapper  had  done  this  deed, 
nothing  was  said  of  mercy ! " 

Esther  made  no  reply,  but  folding  her  arms  upon 
her  breast,  she  sat  silent  and  thoughtful  for  many  min- 


490  THE    PRAIRIE. 

utes.  Then  she  once  more  turned  her  anxious  gaze 
upon  the  countenance,  of  her  husband,  where  she 
found  all  passion  and  care  apparently  buried  in  the 
coldest  apathy.  Satisfied  now,  that  the  fate  of  her 
brother  was  sealed,  and  possibly  conscious  how  well 
he  merited  the  punishment  that  was  meditated,  she 
no  longer  thought  of  mediation.  No  more  words 
passed  between  them.  Their  eyes  met  for  an  instant, 
and  then  both  arose  and  walked  in  profound  silence 
towards  the  encampment. 

The  squatter  found  his  children  expecting  his  re 
turn,  in  the  usual  listless  manner  with  which  they 
awaited  all  coming  events.  The  cattle  were  already 
herded,  and  the  horses  in  their  gears,  in  readiness  to 
proceed  so  soon  as  he  should  indicate  that  such  was 
his  pleasure.  The  children  were  already  in  their 
proper  vehicle,  and,  in  short,  nothing  delayed  the  de 
parture  but  the  absence  of  the  parents  of  the  wild 
brood. 

"  Abner,"  said  the  father,  with  the  deliberation 
with  which  all  his  proceedings  were  characterized, 
44  take  the  brother  of  your  mother  from  the  wagon, 
and  let  him  stand  on  the  'arth." 

Abiram  issued  from  his  place  of  concealment, 
trembling,  it  is  true,  but  far  from  destitute  of  hopes, 
as  to  his  final  success  in  appeasing  the  just  resent 
ment  of  his  kinsman.  After  throwing  a  glance  around 
him,  with  the  vain  wish  of  finding  a  single  counte 
nance  in  which  he  might  detect  a  solitary  gleam  of 
sympathy,  he  endeavoured  to  smother  those  appre 
hensions,  that  were  by  this  time  reviving  in  all  their 
original  violence,  by  forcing  a  sort  of  friendly  com 
munication  between  himself  and  the  squatter — 

"  The  beasts  are  getting  jaded,  brother,"  he  said; 
14  and  as  we  have  made  so  good  a  march  already,  is 
it  not  time  to  'camp.  To  my  eye  you  may  go  far- 
before  a  better  place  than  this  is  found  to  pass  the 
night  in." 


THE  PRAIRIE,  491 

*  'Tis  well  you  like  it.  Your  tarry  here  ar1  likely 
to  be  long.  My  sons,  draw  nigh  and  listen.  Abiram 
White,"  he  added,  lifting  his  cap,  and  speaking  with 
a  solemnity  and  steadiness,  that  rendered  even  his 
dull  mien  imposing,  "  you  have  slain  my  first-born 
and  according  to  the  laws  of  God  and  man  must  you 
die !" 

The  kidnapper  started  at  this  terrible  and  sudden 
sentence,  with  the  terror  that  one  would  exhibit  who 
unexpectedly  found  himself  in  the  grasp  of  a  mon 
ster,  from  whose  power  there  was  no  retreat.  Al 
though  filled  with  the  most  serious  forebodings  of 
what  might  be  his  lot,  his  courage  had  not  been  equal 
to  look  his  danger  in  the  face,  and  with  the  deceitful 
consolation,  with  which  timid  tempers  are  apt  to 
conceal  their  desperate  condition  from  themselves,  he 
had  rather  courted  a  treacherous  relief  in  his  cun 
ning,  than  prepared  himself  for  the  worst 

u  Die  !"  he  repeated  in  a  voice,  that  scarcely  issu 
ed  from  his  chest;  "  a  man  is  surely  safe  among  his 
friends  P 

"  So  thought  my  boy,"  returned  the  squatter,  mo 
tioning  for  the  team,  that  contained  his  wife  and  the 
girls,  to  proceed,  as  he  very  coolly  examined  the 
priming  of  his  piece.  "  By  the  rifle  did  you  destroy 
my  son,  and  it  is  fit  and  just  that  you  meet  your  end 
by  the  same  weapon," 

Abiram  stared  about  him  with  a  gaze  that,  for  the 
moment,  bespoke  an  unsettled  reason.  He  even 
laughed,  as  if  he  would  not  only  persuade  himself 
but  others  that  what  he  heard  was  some  pleasantry 
intended  to  try  his  nerves.  But  no  where  did  his 
frightful  merriment  meet  with  an  answering  echo 
All  around  was  solemn  and  still.  The  visages  of  his 
nephews  were  excited,  but  cold  towards  him,  and 
that  of  his  former  confederate  frightfully  determined. 
This  very  steadiness  of  mien  was  a  thousand  times 
more  alarming  and  hopeless  than  any  violence  could 


492  THE    PRAIRIE. 

have  proved.  The  latter  might  possibly  have  touch 
ed  his  spirit  and  awakened  resistance,  but  the  former 
threw  him  entirely  on  the  feeble  resources  of  him 
self. 

"  Brother,"  he  said,  in  a  hurried,  unnatural  whis 
per,  "  did  1  hear  you  ?" 

"  My  words  are  plain,  Abiram  White ;  you  have 
done  murder,  and  for  the  same  must  you  die  J" 

"Where  is  Esther?  sister,  sister,  will  you  leave 
me  !  Oh  !  Sister !  do  you  hear  my  call  ?" 

"  I  hear  one  speak  from  the  grave  !"  returned  the 
husky  tones  of  Esther,  as  the  wagon  passed  the  spot 
where  the  criminal  stood.  "  It  is  the  voice  of  my 
first-born,  calling  aloud  for  justice  I  God  have  mercy, 
God  have  mercy  on  your  soul !" 

The  team  slowly  pursued  its  route,  and  the  de 
serted  Abiram  now  found  himself  deprived  of  the 
smallest  vestige  of  hope.  Still  he  could  not  summon 
fortitude  to  meet  his  death,  and  had  not  his  limbs  re 
fused  to  aid  him,  he  would  yet  have  attempted  to  fly. 
Then,  by  a  sudden  revolution  from  hope  to  utter 
despair,  he  fell  upon  his  knees,  and  commenced  a 
prayer,  in  which  cries  for  mercy  to  God  and  to  his 
kinsman  were  wildly  and  blasphemously  mingled. 
The  sons  of  Ishmael  turned  away  in  horror  at  the 
disgusting  spectacle,  and  even  the  stern  nature  of  the 
squatter  began  to  bend  before  such  abject  misery. 

"  May  that,  which  you  ask  of  Him,  be  granted," 
he  said ;  but  a  father  can  never  forget  a  murdered 
child." 

He  was  answered  by  the  most  humble  appeals  for 
time.  A  week,  a  day,  an  hour,  were  each  implored 
with  an  earnestness  commensurate  to  the  value  they 
receive,  when  a  whole  life  is  compressed  into  their 
short  duration.  The  squatter  was  troubled,  and  at 
length  he  yielded  in  part  to  the  petitions  of  the  crim 
inal.  His  final  purpose  was  not  altered,  though  he 
changed  the  means;  "  Abncr,"  he  said,  "mount  the 


THE    PRAIRIE.  493 

rock  and  look  01*  every  side,  that  we  may  be  sure 
none  are  nigh." 

While  his  nephew  was  obeying  this  order,  gleams 
of  reviving  hope  were  seen  shooting  across  the  quiv 
ering  features  of  the  kidnapper.  The  report  was 
favourable,  nothing  having  life,  the  retiring  teams  ex- 
cepted,  was  to  be  seen.  A  messenger  was,  however, 
coming  from  the  latter,  in  great  apparent  haste.  Ish- 
mael  awaited  its  arrival.  He  received  from  the  hands 
of  one  of  his  wondering  and  frighted  girls  a  fragment 
of  that  book,  which  Esther  had  preserved  with  so 
much  care.  The  squatter  beckoned  the  child  away, 
and  placed  the  leaves  in  the  hands  of  the  criminal. 

"  Eest'er  has  sent  you  this,"  he  said, "  that,  in  your 
last  moments,  you  may  remember  God." 

44  Bless  her,  bless  her!  a  good  and  kind  sister  has 
she  been  to  me !  But  time  must  be  given,  that  I  may 
read ;  time,  my  brother,  time  !" 

44  Time  shall  not  be  wanting.  You  shall  be  your 
own  executioner,  and  this  miserable  office  shall  pass 
away  from  my  hands." 

Ishmael  proceeded  to  put  his  new  resolution  in 
force.  The  immediate  apprehensions  of  the  kid 
napper  were  quieted,  by  an  assurance  that  he  might 
yet  live  for  days,  though  his  punishment  was  inevit 
able.  A  reprieve,  to  one  as  abject  and  wretched  as 
Abiram,  temporarily  produced  the  same  effects  as  a 
pardon.  He  was  even  foremost  in  assisting  in  the 
appalling  arrangements,  and  of  all  the  actors,  in  that 
solemn  tragedy,  his  voice  alone  was  facetious  and 
jocular. 

A  thin  shelf  of  the  rock  projected  beneath  one  of 
the  ragged  arms  of  the  willow.  It  was  many  feet 
from  the  ground,  and  admirably  adapted  to  the 
purpose  which,  in  fact,  its  appearance  had  sug 
gested.  On  this  little  platform  was  the  criminal 
placed,  his  arms  bound  at  the  elbows  behind  his 
back,  beyond  the  possibility  of  liberation,  with  a 
2T 


494  THE    PRAIRIE. 

proper  cord  leading  from  his  neck  to  the  limb  of  the 
tree.  The  latter  was  so  placed,  that  when  suspended 
the  body  could  find  no  foot-hold.  The  fragment  of 
the  bible  was  placed  in  his  hands,  and  he  was  there 
left  to  seek  his  consolation  as  he  might  from  its 
pages. 

"And  now,  Abiram  White,"  said  the  squatter, 
when  his  sons  had  descended  from  completing  this 
arrangement,  "  I  give  you  a  last  and  solemn  asking. 
Death  is  before  you  in  two  shapes.  With  this  rifle 
can  your  misery  be  cut  short,  or  by  that  cord,  sooner 
or  later,  must  you  meet  your  end." 

"  Let  me  yet  live !  Oh,  Ishmael,  you  know  not 
how  sweet  life  is,  when  the  last  moment  draws  so 
nigh ! " 

"  'Tis  done;"  said  the  squatter  motioning  for  his 
assistants  to  follow  the  herds  and  teams.  "  And  now, 
miserable  man,  that  it  may  prove  a  consolation  to 
your  end,  I  forgive  you  my  wrongs  and  leave  you  to 
your  God." 

Ishmael  then  turned  and  pursued  his  way  across 
the  plain  at  his  ordinary  sluggish  and  ponderous  gait. 
Though  his  head  was  bent  a  little  towards  the  earth, 
his  inactive  mind  did  not  prompt  him  to  cast  a 
look  behind.  Once,  indeed,  he  thought  he  heard  his 
name  called,  in  tones  that  were  a  little  smothered, 
but  they  failed  to  make  him  pause. 

At  the  spot  where  he  and  Esther  had  conferred 
he  reached  the  boundary  of  the  visible  horizon  from 
the  rock.  Here  he  stopped,  and  ventured  a  glance 
in  the  direction  of  the  place  he  had  just  quitted. 
The  sun  was  near  dipping  into  the  plains  beyond, 
and  its  last  rays  lighted  the  naked  branches  of  the 
willow.  He  saw  the  ragged  outline  of  the  whole 
drawn  against  the  glowing  heavens,  and  he  even 
traced  the  still  upright  form  of  the  being  he  had  left 
to  his  misery.  Turning  the  roll  of  the  swell  he  pro 
ceeded  with  the  feelings  of  one,  who  had  been  sud- 


PRAIRIE.  495 

denly  and  violently  separated  from  a  recent  con 
federate,  forever. 

Within  a  mile  the  squatter  overtook  his  teams. 
His  sons  had  found  a  place  suited  to  the  encamp 
ment  for  the  night,  and  merely  awaited  his  approach 
to  confirm  their  choice.  Few  words  were  necessary 
to  express  his  acquiescence.  Every  thing  passed  in 
a  silence  more  general  and  remarkable  than  ever. 
The  chidings  of  Esther  were  not  heard  among  her 
young,  or  if  heard,  they  were  more  in  the  tones  of 
softened  admonition  than  in  her  usual  upbraiding 
key. 

No  questions  nor  explanations  passed  between  the 
husband  and  his  wife.  It  was  only  as  the  latter  was 
about  to  withdraw  among  her  children,  for  the  night, 
that  the  former  saw  her  taking  a  furtive  look  at  the 
pan  of  his  rifle.  Ishmael  bade  his  sons  seek  their 
rest,  announcing  his  intention  to  look  to  the  safety  of 
the  camp  in  person.  When  all  was  still,  he  walked 
out  upon  the  prairie,  with  a  sort  of  sensation  that  he 
found  his  breathing  among  the  tents  too  straitened. 
The  night  was  well  adapted  to  heighten  the  feelings, 
which  had  been  created  by  the  events  of  the  day. 

The  wind  had  risen  with  the  moon,  and  it  was 
occasionally  sweeping  over  the  plain,  in  a  manner 
that  made  it  not  difficult  for  the  sentinel  to  imagine 
that  strange  and  unearthly  sounds  were  mingling  in 
the  blast.  Yielding  to  the  extraordinary  impulses  of 
which  he  was  the  subject,  he  cast  a  glance  around  to 
see  that  all  were  slumbering  in  security,  and  then  he 
strayed  towards  the  swell  of  land  already  mentioned. 
Here  the  squatter  found  himself  at  a  point  that  com 
manded  a  view  to  the  east  and  to  the  west.  Light 
fleecy  clouds  were  driving  before  the  moon,  which 
was  cold  and  watery,  though  there  were  moments, 
when  its  placid  rays  were  shed  from  clear  blue 
fields,  seeming  to  soften  objects  to  its  own  mild 
loveliness. 


496  THE    PRAIRIE. 

For  the  first  time,  in  a  life  of  so  much  wild  adven 
ture,  Ishmael  felt  a  keen  sense  of  solitude.  The 
naked  prairies  began  to  assume  the  forms  of  illimit 
able  and  dreary  wastes,  and  the  rushing  of  the  wind 
sounded  like  the  whisperings  of  the  dead.  It  was 
not  long  before  he  thought  a  shriek  was  borne  past 
him  on  a  blast.  It  did  not  sound  like  a  call  from 
earth,  but  it  swept  frightfully  through  the  upper  air, 
mingled  with  the  hoarse  accompaniment  of  the  wind. 
The  teeth  of  the  squatter  were  compressed,  and  his 
huge  hand  grasped  the  rifle,  as  though  it  would 
crush  the  metal  like  paper.  Then  came  a  lull,  a 
fresher  blast,  and  a  cry  of  horror  that  seemed  to  have 
been  uttered  at  the  very  portals  of  his  ears.  A  sort 
of  echo  burst  involuntarily  from  his  own  lips,  as  men 
will  often  shout  under  unnatural  excitement,  and 
throwing  his  rifle  across  his  shoulder,  he  proceeded 
towards  the  rock  with  the  strides  of  a  giant. 

It  was  not  often  that  the  blood  of  Ishmael  moved 
at  the  rate  with  which  the  fluid  circulates  in  the  veins 
of  ordinary  men ;  but  now  he  felt  it  ready  to  gush 
from  every  pore  in  his  body.  The  animal  was  arous 
ed  in  his  most  latent  energies.  Ever  as  he  advanced 
he  heard  those  shrieks,  which  sometimes  seemed  ring 
ing  among  the  clouds,  and  sometimes  passed  so  nigh 
as  to  appear  to  brush  the  earth.  At  length  there 
came  a  cry,  in  which  there  could  be  no  delusion,  or 
to  which  the  imagination  could  lend  no  horror.  It 
appeared  to  fill  each  cranny  of  the  air,  as  the  visible 
horizon  is  often  charged  to  fulness  by  one  dazzling 
flash  of  the  electric  fluid.  The  name  of  God  was 
distinctly  audible,  but  it  was  awfully  and  blasphem 
ously  blended  with  sounds  that  may  not  be  repeated 
The  squatter  stopped,  and  for  a  moment  he  covered 
his  ears  with  his  hands.  When  he  withdrew  the  lat 
ter,  a  low  and  husky  voice  at  his  elbow  asked  iu 
smothered  tones — 

"  Uhmael,  my  man,  heard  ye  nothing?1 


THE    PRAIRIE.  497 

"  Hist !"  returned  the  husband,  laying  a  powerful 
arm  on  Esther,  without  manifesting  the  smallest  sur 
prise  at  the  unlooked-for  presence  of  his  wife.  "  Hist, 
woman  !  if  you  have  the  fear  of  Heaven  be  still !" 

A  profound  silence  succeeded.  Though  the  wind 
rose  and  fell  as  before,  its  rushing  was  no  longer  min 
gled  with  those  fearful  cries.  The  sounds  were  im 
posing  and  solemn,  but  it  was  the  solemnity  and  ma 
jesty  of  nature  in  its  solitude. 

"  Let  us  go  on,"  said  Esther ;  "  all  is  hushed." 

"  Woman,  what  has  brought  you  here?"  demanded 
her  husband,  whose  blood  had  returned  into  its  for 
mer  channels,  and  whose  thoughts  had  already  lost  a 
portion  of  their  excitement. 

"  Ishmael,  he  murdered  our  first-born,  but  it  is  not 
meet  that  the  son  of  my  mother  should  lie  upon  the 
ground,  like  the  carrion  of  a  dog ! " 

"  Follow ;"  returned  the  squatter  again  grasping 
his  rifle,  and  striding  towards  the  rock.  The  distance 
was  still  considerable,  and  their  approach,  as  they 
drew  nigh  the  place  of  execution,  was  moderated  by 
awe.  Many  minutes  had  passed,  before  they  reached 
a  spot  where  they  might  distinguish  the  outlines  of 
the  dusky  objects. 

"Where  have  you  put  the  body?"  Whispered 
Esther.  "  See,  here  are  pick  and  spade,  that  a  brother 
of  mine  may  sleep  in  the  bosom  of  the  earth ! " 

The  moon  broke  from  behind  a  mass  of  clouds, 
and  the  eye  of  the  woman  was  enabled  to  follow  the 
finger  of  Ishmael.  It  pointed  to  a  human  form  swing 
ing  in  the  wind,  beneath  the  ragged  and  shining  arm 
of  the  willow.  Esther  bent  her  head  and  veiled  her 
eyes  from  the  sight.  But  Ishmael  drew  nigher,  and 
long  contemplated  his  work  in  awe,  though  not  in 
compunction.  The  leaves  of  the  sacred  book  were 
scattered  on  the  ground,  and  even  a  fragment  of  the 
shelf  had  been  displaced  by  the  kidnapper  in  his  ago 
ny.  But  all  was  now  in  the  stillness  of  death.  The 
2T2 


498  THE    PRAIRIE. 

grim  and  convulsed  countenance  of  the  victim  was 
at  times  brought  full  into  the  light  of  the  moon,  and 
again  as  the  wind  lulled,  the  fatal  rope  drew  a  dark 
line  across  its  bright  disk.  The  squatter  raised  his 
rifle,  with  extreme  care,  and  fired.  The  cord  was 
cut  and  the  body  came  lumbering  to  the  earth,  a 
heavy  and  insensible  mass. 

Until  now  Esther  had  not  moved  nor  spoken.  But 
her  hand  was  not  slow  to  assist  in  the  labour  of  the 
hour.  The  grave  was  soon  dug.  It  was  instantly 
made  to  receive  its  miserable  tenant.  As  the  lifeless 
form  descended,  Esther,  who  sustained  the  head,  look 
ed  up  into  the  face  of  her  husband  with  an  expres 
sion  of  anguish,  and  said — 

"  Ishmael,  my  man,  it  is  very  terrible  !  I  cannot 
kiss  the  corpse  of  my  father's  child !" 

The  squatter  laid  his  broad  hand  on  the  bosom  of 
the  dead,  and  said — 

"  Abiram  White,  we  all  have  need  of  mercy;  from 
my  soul  do  I  forgive  you  !  may  God  in  Heaven  have 
pity  on  your  sins  ! " 

The  woman  bowed  her  face,  and  imprinted  her 
lips  long  and  fervently  on  the  pallid  forehead  of  her 
brother.  After  this  came  the  falling  clods  and  all  the 
solemn  sounds  of  filling  a  grave.  Esther  lingered  on 
her  knees,  and  Ishmael  stood  uncovered  while  the 
woman  muttered  a  prayer.  All  was  then  finished. 

On  the  following  morning  the  teams  and  herds  of 
the  squatter  were  seen  pursuing  their  course  towards 
the  settlements.  As  they  approached  the  confines 
of  society,  the  train  was  blended  among  a  thousand 
others.  Though  some  of  the  numerous  descendants 
!  of  this  peculiar  pair,  were  reclaimed  from  their  law 
less  and  semi-barbarous  lives,  the  principals  of  the 
*;  family,  themselves,  were  never  heard  of  more. 


THE    PRAIRIE. 


499 


CHAPTER,  XXXIII. 

-— ««  No  leave  take  I ;  for  I  will  ride, 
As  far  as  land  will  let  me,  by  your  side." 

Shakspeare. 

THE  passage  of  the  Pawnee  to  his  village  was  in 
terrupted  by  no  such  scene  of  violence.  His  venge 
ance  had  been  as  complete  as  it  was  summary.  Not 
even  a  solitary  scout  of  the  Siouxes  was  left  on  the 
hunting-grounds  he  was  obliged  to  traverse,  and  of 
course  the  journey  of  Middleton's  party  was  as 
peaceful  as  though  it  were  made  in  the  bosom  of  the 
States.  The  marches  were  timed  to  meet  the  weak 
ness  of  the  females.  In  short  the  victors  seemed  to 
have  lost  every  trace  of  ferocity  with  their  success, 
and  appeared  disposed  to  consult  the  most  trifling  of 
the  wants  of  that  engrossing  people  who  were  daily 
encroaching  on  their  rights,  and  reducing  the  Red- 
men  of  the  west  from  their  state  of  proud  indepen 
dence  to  the  condition  of  fugitives  and  wanderers. 

Our  limits  will  not  permit  a  detail  of  the  triumphal 
entry  of  the  conquerors.  The  exultation  of  the 
tribe  was  proportioned  to  its  previous  despondency. 
Mothers  boasted  of  the  honourable  deaths  of  their 
sons;  wives  proclaimed  the  honour  and  pointed  to 
the  scars  of  their  husbands,  and  Indian  girls  rewarded 
the  young  braves  with  their  songs  of  triumph.  The 
trophies  of  their  fallen  enemies  were  exhibited,  as 
conquered  standards  are  displayed  in  more  civilized 
regions.  The  deeds  of  former  warriors  were  recount 
ed  by  the  aged  men,  and  declared  to  be  eclipsed  by 
the  glory  of  this  victory.  While  Hard-Heart  himself, 
so  distinguished  for  his  exploits  from  boyhood  to  that 
hour,  was  unanimously  proclaimed  and  re-proclaimed 
the  worthiest  chief  and  the  stoutest  brave  that  the 
Wahcondah  had  ever  bestowed  on  his  most  favoured 
children,  the  Pawnees  of  the  Loup. 


500  THE    PRAIRIE. 

Notwithstanding  the  comparative  security  in  which 
Middleton  found  his  recovered  treasure,  he  was  not 
sorry  to  see  his  faithful  and  sturdy  artillerists  standing 
among  the  throng  as  he  entered  in  the  wild  train,  and 
lifting  their  voices  in  a  martial  shout  to  greet  his  re 
turn.  The  presence  of  this  force,  small  as  it  was 
removed  every  shadow  of  uneasiness  from  his  mind, 
[t  made  him  master  of  his  movements,  gave  him 
dignity  and  importance  in  the  eyes  of  his  new  friends, 
and  would  enable  him  to  overcome  the  difficulties  of 
the  wide  region  which  still  lay  between  the  village 
of  the  Pawnees  and  the  nearest  fortress  of  his  coun 
trymen.  A  lodge  was  yielded  to  the  exclusive  pos 
session  of  Inez  and  Ellen ;  and  even  Paul,  when  he- 
saw  an  armed  sentinel,  in  the  uniform  of  the  States, 
pacing  before  its  entrance,  was  content  to  stray  among 
the  dwellings  of  the  'Red-skins,'  prying  with  but 
little  reserve  into  their  domestic  economy,  comment 
ing  sometimes  jocularly,  sometimes  gravely,  and  al 
ways  freely,  on  their  different  expedients,  or  endeav 
ouring  to  make  the  wondering  housewives  compre 
hend  his  quaint  explanations  of  what  he  conceived 
to  be  the  better  customs  of  the  whites. 

This  inquiring  and  troublesome  spirit  found  no 
imitators  among  the  Indians.  The  delicacy  and  re 
serve  of  Hard-Heart  were  communicated  to  his  peo 
ple.  When  every  attention  that  could  be  suggested 
by  their  simple  manners  and  narrow  wants  had  been 
fulfilled,  no  intrusive  foot  presumed  to  approach  the 
cabins  that  had  been  devoted  to  the  service  of  the 
strangers.  They  were  left  to  seek  their  repose  in 
that  manner  which  most  comported  with  their  habits 
and  inclinations.  The  songs  and  rejoicings  of  the 
tribe,  however,  ran  far  into  the  night,  during  the 
deepest  hours  of  which,  the  voice  of  more  than  one 
warrior  was  heard,  recounting,  from  the  top  of  his 
lodge,  the  deeds  of  his  people  and  the  glory  of  their 
triumphs. 


THE    PRAIRIE.  501 

Every  thing  having  life,  notwithstanding  the  ex 
cesses  of  the  night,  was  abroad  with  the  appearance 
of  the  sun.  The  expression  of  exultation,  which  had 
so  lately  been  seen  on  every  countenance,  was  now 
changed  to  one  better  suited  to  the  feeling  of  the 
moment.  It  was  understood  by  all,  that  the  Pale 
faces,  who  had  befriended  their  chief,  were  about  to 
take  their  final  leave  of  the  tribe.  The  soldiers  of 
Middleton,  in  anticipation  of  his  arrival,  had  bar 
gained  with  an  unsuccessful  trader  for  the  use  of  his 
boat,  which  lay  in  the  stream  ready  to  receive  its 
cargo,  and  nothing  remained  to  complete  the  ar 
rangements  for  the  long  journey. 

Middleton  did  not  see  this  moment  arrive  entirely 
without  distrust.  The  admiration,  with  which  Hard- 
Heart  had  regarded  Inez,  had  not  escaped  his  jealous 
eye,  any  more  than  had  the  lawless  wishes  of  Mah- 
toree.  He  knew  the  consummate  manner  in  which 
a  savage  could  conceal  his  designs,  and  he  felt  that 
it  would  be  a  culpable  weakness  to  be  unprepared 
for  the  worst.  Secret  instructions  were  therefore 
given  to  his  men,  while  the  preparations  they  made 
were  properly  masked  behind  the  show  of  military 
parade  with  which  it  was  intended  to  signalize  their 
departure. 

The  conscience  of  the  young  soldier  reproached 
him,  when  he  saw  the  whole  tribe  accompanying  his 
party  to  the  margin  of  the  stream,  with  unarmed 
hands  and  sorrowful  countenances.  They  gathered 
in  a  circle  around  the  strangers  and  their  chief,  and 
became  not  only  peaceful,  but  highly  interested  ob 
servers  of  what  was  passing.  As  it  was  evident  that 
Hard-Heart  intended  to  speak,  the  former  stopped, 
and  manifested  their  readiness  to  listen,  the  trapper 
performing  the  office  of  interpreter.  Then  the  young 
chief  addressed  his  people,  in  the  usual  metaphorical 
language  of  an  Indian.  He  commenced  by  alluding 
to  the  antiquity  and  renown  of  his  own  nation.  He 


502  THE    PRAIRIE. 

spoke  of  their  successes  in  the  hunts  and  on  the  war 
path  ;  of  the  manner  in  which  they  had  always  known 
how  to  defend  their  rights  and  to  chastise  their  ene 
mies.  After  he  had  said  enough  to  manifest  his  re 
spect  for  the  greatness  of  the  Loups,  and  to  satisfy 
the  pride  of  the  listeners,  he  made  a  sudden  transition 
to  the  race  of  whom  the  strangers  were  members 
{He  compared  their  countless  numbers  to  the  flights  of 
migratory  birds  in  the  season  of  blossoms  or  in  the  fall 
of  the  year.)  With  a  delicacy,  that  none  knew  better 
how  to  practise  than  an  Indian  warrior,  he  made  no 
direct  mention  of  the  rapacious  temper,  that  so  many 
of  them  had  betrayed  in  their  dealings  with  the  Red- 
men.  Feeling  that  the  sentiment  of  distrust  was 
strongly  engrafted  in  the  tempers  of  his  tribe,  he 
rather  endeavoured  to  soothe  any  just  resentment 
they  might  entertain,  by  indirect  excuses  and  apol 
ogies.  He  reminded  the  listeners  that  even  the 
Pawnee  Loups  had  been  obliged  to  chase  many  un 
worthy  individuals  from  their  villages.  The  Wah- 
condah  sometimes  veiled  his  countenance  from  a  Red 
man.  No  doubt  the  Great  Spirit  of  the  Pale-faces 
often  looked  darkly  on  his  children.  Such  as  were 
abandoned  to  the  worker  of  evil  could  never  be 
brave  or  virtuous,  let  the  colour  of  the  skin  be  what 
it  might.  He  bade  his  young  men  to  look  at  the  hands 
of  the  Big-knives.  JThey  were  not  empty,  like  those 
of  hungry  heggars./Neither  were  they  tilled  with 
goods,  like  those  of  knavish  traders,!  They  were, 
like  themselves,  warriors,  and  they  carried  arms 
which  they  knew  well  how  to  use — they  were  wor 
thy  to  be  called  brothers  ! 

Then  he  directed  the  attention  of  all  to  the  chief 

of  the  strangers.     He  was  a  son  of  their  great  white 

I  father.    He  had  not  come  upon  the  prairies  to  frighten 

•the  buffaloes  from  their  pastures,  or  to  seek  the  game 

"of  the  Indians.     Wicked  men  had  robbed  him  of  one 

of  his  wives ;  no  doubt  she  was  the  most  obedient, 


THE  PRAIRIE.  503 

the  meekest,  the  loveliest  of  them  all.  They  had 
only  to  open  their  eyes  to  see  that  his  words  must  be 
true.  Now,  that  the  white  chief  had  found  his  wife, 
he  was  about  to  return  to  his  own  people  in  peace. 
He  would  tell  them  that  the  Pawnees  were  just,  and 
there  would  be  a  line  of  wampum  between  the  two 
nations.  Let  all  his  people  wish  the  strangers  a  safe 
return  to  their  towns.  The  warriors  of  the  Loupa 
knew  both  how  to  receive  their  enemies,  and  how  to 
clear  the  briars  from  the  path  of  their  friends. 

The  heart  of  Middleton  had  beat  quick,  as  the 
young  partisan  alluded  to  the  charms  of  Inez,  and 
for  an  instant  he  cast  an  impatient  glance  at  his  little 
line  of  artillerists ;  but  the  chief  from  that  moment 
appeared  to  forget  he  had  ever  seen  so  fair  a  being. 
His  feelings,  if  he  had  any  on  the  subject,  were  veiled 
behind  the  cold  mask  of  Indian  self-denial.  He  took 
each  warrior  by  the  hand,  not  forgetting  the  meanest 
soldier,  but  his  cold  and  collected  eye  never  wan 
dered,  for  an  instant,  towards  either  of  the  females. 
Arrangements  had  been  made  for  their  comfort,  with 
a  prodigality  and  care  that  had  not  failed  to  excite 
some  surprise  in  his  young  men,  but  in  no  other  par 
ticular  did  he  shock  their  manly  pride  by  betraying 
any  solicitude  in  behalf  of  the  weaker  sex. 

The  leave-taking  was  general  and  imposing.  Each 
male  Pawnee  was  sedulous  to  omit  no  one  of  the 
strange  warriors  in  his  attentions,  and  of  course  the 
ceremony  occupied  some  time.  The  only  exception, 
and  that  was  not  general,  was  in  the  case  of  Dr.  Bat- 
tius.  Not  a  few  of  the.  young  men,  it  is  true,  were 
indifferent  about  lavishing  civilities  on  one  of  so 
doubtful  a  profession,  but  the  worthy  naturalist  found 
some  consolation  in  the  more  matured  politeness  of 
the  old  men,  who  had  inferred,  that  though  not  of 
much  use  in  war,  the  medicine  of  the  Big-knives 
might  possibly  be  made  serviceable  in  peace. 

When  all  of  Middleton's  party  had  embarked,  the 


•u*  THE    PRAIRIE. 

trapper  lifted  a  small  bundle,  which  had  lain  at  his 
feet  during  the  previous  proceedings,  and  whistling 
Hector  to  his  side,  he  was  the  last  to  take  his  seat. 
The  artillerists  gave  the  usual  cheers,  which  were 
answered  by  a  shout  from  the  tribe,  and  then  the 
boat  was  shoved  into  the  current,  and  began  to  glide 
swiftly  down  its  stream. 

A  long  and  a  musing,  if  not  a  melancholy  silence 
succeeded  this  departure.  It  was  first  broken  by 
the  trapper,  whose  regret  was  not  the  least  visible  in 
his  dejected  and  sorrowful  eye — 

"  They  are  a  valiant  and  an  honest  tribe,"  he  said; 
"that  will  I  say  boldly  in  their  favour;  and  second 
only  do  I  take  them  to  be  to  that  once  mighty  but 
now  scattered  people,  the  Delawares  of  the  Hills. 
Ah's  me  !  Captain,  if  you  had  seen  as  much  good  and 
evil  as  I  have  seen  in  these  nations  of  Red-skins,  you 
would  know  of  how  much  value  was  a  brave  and 
simple-minded  warrior.  I  know  that  some  are  to  be 
found,  who  both  think  and  say  that  an  Indian  is  but 
a  little  better  than  the  beasts  of  these  naked  plains. 
But  it  is  needful  to  be  honest  in  one's  self  to  be  a 
fitting  judge  of  honesty  in  others.  No  doubt,  no 
doubt,  they  know  their  enemies,  and  little  do  they 
care  to  show  to  such  any  great  confidence  or  love." 

"  It  is  the  way  of  man,"  returned  the  Captain, 
"  and  it  is  probable  they  are  not  wanting  in  any  of 
his  natural  qualities." 

"  No,  no ;  it  is  little  that  they  want,  that  natur'  has 
had  to  give.  But  as  little  does  he  know  of  tha  temper 
of  a  Red-skin,  who  has  seen  but  one  Indian  or  one 
tribe,  as  he  knows  of  the  colour  of  feathers  who  has 
only  looked  upon  a  crow.  Now,  friend  steersman, 
just  give  the  boat  a  sheer  towards  yonder,  low,  sandy 
point,  and  a  favour  will  be  granted  at  a  short  asking." 

"  For  what?"  demanded  Middleton  ;  "  we  are  now 
in  the  swiftest  of  the  current,  and  by  drawing  to  the 
ehore  we  shall  lose  the  force  of  the  stream," 


THE    PRAIRIE.  505 

u  Your  tarry  will  not  be  long,"  returned  the  old 
man,  applying  his  own  hand  to  the  execution  of  that 
which  he  had  requested.  The  oarsmen  had  seen 
enough  of  his  influence  with  their  leader  not  to  dis 
pute  his  wishes,  and  before  time  was  given  for  further 
discussion  on  the  subject,  the  bows  of  the  boat  had 
touched  the  land. 

"Captain,"  resumed  the  other  untying  his  little 
wallet  with  great  deliberation,  and  even  in  a  manner 
to  show  he  found  satisfaction  in  the  delay,  "  I  wish  to 
offer  you  a  small  matter  of  trade.  No  great  bargain, 
mayhap  ;  but  still  the  best  that  one,  of  whose  hand 
the  skill  of  the  rifle  has  taken  leave,  and  who  has 
become  no  better  than  a  miserable  trapper,  can  offer 
before  we  part." 

"  Part !"  was  echoed  from  every  mouth  among 
those  who  had  so  recently  shared  his  dangers  and 
profited  by  his  care. 

"  What  the  devil,  old  trapper,  do  you  mean  to 
foot  it  to  the  settlements,  when  here  is  a  boat  that  will 
float  the  distance  in  half  the  time,  that  the  jackass, 
the  Doctor  has  given  the  Pawnee,  could  trot  along 
the  same ! " 

"  Settlements,  boy !  It  is  long  sin1  I  took  my  leave 
of  the  waste  and  wickedness  of  the  settlements  ancj1 
the  villages.  If  I  live  in  a  clearing  here,  it  is  one  of 
the  Lord's  making,  and  I  have  no  hard  thoughts  on 
the  matter ;  but  never  again  shall  I  be  seen  running 
wilfully  into  the  danger  of  immoralities." 

"  I  had  not  thought  of  parting,"  answered  Middle- 
ton,  endeavouring  to  seek  some  relief  from  the  unea 
siness  he  felt,  by  turning  his  eyes  on  the  sympathizing 
countenances  of  his  friends ;  "  on  the  contrary,  I  had 
hoped  and  believed  that  you  would  have  accom 
panied  us  below,  where  I  give  you  a  sacred  pledge, 
nothing  shall  be  wanting  to  make  your  days  com 
fortable." 

"  Yes,  lad,  yes ;  you  would  do  your  endeavours ; 
2U 


506  THE    1RAIRIE. 

but  what  are  the  strivings  of  man  against  the  work 
ing  of  the  devil !  Ay,  if  kind  offers  and  good  wishes 
could  have  done  the  thing,  I  might  have  been  a 
congress-man,  or  perhaps  a  governor,  years  agone. 
Your  gran'ther  wished  the  same,  and  there  are 
them  still  living  in  the  Otsego  mountains,  as  I  hope, 
who  would  gladly  have  given  me  a  palace  for  rny 
dwelling.  But  what  are  riches  without  content ! 
My  time  must  now  be  short,  at  any  rate,  and  1  hope 
it's  no  mighty  sin  for  one,  who  has  acted  his  part 
honestly  near  ninety  winters  and  summers,  to  wish 
to  pass  the  few  hours  that  remain  in  comfort.  If  you 
think  I  have  done  wrong  in  coming  thus  far  to  quit 
you  again,  Captain,  I  will  own  the  reason  of  the  act 
without  shame  or  backwardness.  Though  I  have 
seen  so  much  of  the  wilderness,  it  is  not  to  be  gain- 
sayed,  that  my  feelings,  as  well  as  my  skin,  are  white. 
Now  it  would  not  be  a  fitting  spectacle,  that  yonder 
Pawnee  Loups  should  look  upon  the  weakness  of  an 
old  warrior,  if  weakness  he  should  happen  to  show 
in  parting  for  ever  from  those  he  has  reason  to  Ipve, 
though  he  may  not  set  his  heart  so  strongly  on  them 
as  to  wish  to  go  into  the  settlements  in  their  company.'1 
"  Harkee,  old  trapper,"  said  Paul,  clearing  his 
throat  with  a  desperate  effort,  as  if  he  was  deter 
mined  to  give  his  voice  a  clear  exit ;  "  I  have  just 
one  bargain  to  make,  since  you  talk  of  trading, 
which  is  neither  more  nor  less  than  this.  I  offer 
you,  as  my  side  of  the  business,  one  half  of  my 
shanty,  nor  do  I  much  care  if  it  be  the  biggest  half* 
the  sweetest  and  the  purest  honey  that  can  be  made 
of  the  wild  locust ;  always  enough  to  eat,  with  now 
and  then  a  mouthful  of  venison,  or,  for  that  matter, 
a  morsel  of  buffaloe's  hump,  seeing  that  I  intend  to 
push  my  acquaintance  with  the  animal,  and  as  good 
and  as  tidy  cooking  as  can  come  from  the  hands  of 
one  like  Ellen  Wafle,  here,  who  will  shortly  be  Nelly 
somebody-else,  and  altogether  such  general  treat- 


THE  PRAIRIE.  507 

ment  as  a  decent  man  might  be  supposed  to  pay  to 
his  best  friend,  or,  for  that  matter,  to  his  own  father ; 
in  return  for  the  same  you  ar'  to  give  us  at  odd  mo 
ments  some  of  your  ancient  traditions,  perhaps  a  lit 
tle  wholesome  advice  on  occasions,  in  small  quanti 
ties  at  a  time,  and  as  much  of  your  agreeable  com 
pany  as  you  please." 

"  It  is  well — it  is  well,  boy,"  returned  the  old  man, 
fumbling  at  his  wallet ;  "  honestly  offered  and  not 
unthankfully  declined — but  it  cannot  be ;  no,  it  can 
never  be." 

"  Venerable  venator,"  said  Dr.  Battius ;  "  there 
are  obligations,  which  every  man  owes  to  society  and 
to  human  nature.  It  is  time  that  you  should  return 
to  your  countrymen,  to  deliver  up  some  of  those 
stores  of  experimental  knowledge  that  you  have 
doubtless  obtained  by  so  long  a  sojourn  in  the  wilds, 
which,  however  they  may  be  corrupted  by  precon 
ceived  opinions,  will  prove  acceptable  bequests  to  those 
whom,  as  you  say,  you  must  shortly  leave  forever." 

"  Friend  physicianer,"  returned  the  trapper,  look 
ing  the  other  steadily  in  the  face,  "  as  it  would  be  no 
easy  matter  to  judge  of  the  temper  of  the  rattler  by 
considering  the  fashions  of  the  moose,  so  it  would  be 
hard  to  speak  of  the  usefulness  of  one  man  by  think 
ing  too  much  of  the  deeds  of  another.  You  have 
your  gifts  like  others,  I  suppose,  and  little  do  I  wish  to 
disturb  them.  But  as  to  me,  the  Lord  has  made  me 
for  a  doer  and  not  a  talker,  and  therefore  do  I  con- 
eider  it  no  harm  to  shut  my  ears  to  your  invitation." 

"  It  is  enough,"  interrupted  M  iddleton  ;  "  I  have 
seen  and  heard  so  much  of  this  extraordinary  man, 
as  to  know  that  persuasions  will  not  change  his  pur 
pose.  First  we  will  hear  your  request,  my  friend, 
and  then  we  will  consider  what  may  be  best  done  for 
your  advantage." 

"  It  is  a  small  matter,  Captain,"  returned  the  old 
man,  succeeding  at  length  in  opening  his  bundle.  "  A 
small  and  trifling  matter  is  it,  to  what  I  once  used-to- 


508  THE  PRAIRIE. 

could  offer  m  the  way  of  bargains ;  but  then  it  is  the 
best  I  have,  and  therein  not  to  be  despised.  Here 
are  the  skins  of  four  beavers,  that  I  took,  it  might  be 
a  month  afore  we  met,  and  here  is  another  from  a 
raccoon,  that  is  of  no  great  matter  to  be  sure,  but 
which  may  serve  to  make  weight  atween  us." 

"  And  what  do  you  propose  to  do  with  them  ?" 

"  I  offer  them  in  lawful  barter.  Them  knaves  the 
Siouxes,  the  Lord  forgive  me  for  ever  believing  it 
was  the  Konzas,  have  stolen  the  best  of  my  traps, 
and  driven  me  altogether  to  make-shift  inventions, 
which  might  foretel  a  dreary  winter  for  me,  should 
my  time  stretch  into  another  season.  I  wish  you 
therefore  to  take  the  skins,  and  to  offer  them  to  some 
of  the  trappers  you  will  not  fail  to  meet  below,  and 
to  send  the  same  into  the  Pawnee  village  in  my  name. 
Be  careful  to  have  my  mark  painted  on  them  ;  a  let 
ter  N,  with  a  hound's  ear  and  the  lock  of  a  rifle. 
There  is  no  Red-skin  who  will  then  dispute  my  right. 
For  all  which  trouble  I  have  little  more  to  offer  than 
my  thanks,  unless  my  friend,  the  bee-hunter  here, 
will  accept  of  the  raccoon,  and  take  on  himself  the 
special  charge  of  the  whole  matter." 

"  If  I  do,  may  I  be !"  The  mouth  of  Paul 

was  stopped  by  the  pretty  hand  of  Ellen,  and  he  was 
obliged  to  swallow  the  rest  of  the  sentence,  which  he 
did  with  a  species  of  emotion  that  bore  no  slight  re 
semblance  to  the  process  of  strangulation. 

"  Well,  well,"  returned  the  old  man  meekly,  "  1 
hope  there  is  no  heavy  offence  in  the  offer.  I  know 
that  the  skin  of  a  raccoon  is  of  small  price,  but  then 
it  was  no  mighty  labour  that  I  asked  in  return." 

"  You  entirely  mistake  the  meaning  of  our  friend," 
interrupted  Middleton,  who  observed,  that  the  bee- 
hunter  was  looking  in  every  direction  but  the  right 
one,  and  that  he  was  utterly  unable  to  make  his  own 
vindication.  "  He  did  not  mean  to  say  that  he  de 
clined  the  charge,  but  merely  that  he  refused  all  com 
pensation.  It  is  unnecessary,  however,  to  say  more 


THE    PRAIRIE.  509 

of  this ;  it  shall  be  my  office  to  see  that  the  debt  of 
gratitude,  we  owe,  is  properly  discharged,  and  that 
all  your  necessities  shall  be  anticipated." 

"  Anan  !"  said  the  old  man,  looking  up  enquiringly 
into  the  other's  face,  as  if  to  ask  an  explanation. 

"  It  shall  all  be  as  you  wish.  Lay  the  skins  with  my 
baggage.  We  will  bargain  for  you  as  for  ourselves.' 

"  Thankee,  thankee,  Captain ;  your  gran'ther  was 
of  a  free  and  generous  mind.  So  much  so,  in  truth, 
that  those  just  people,  the  Delawares,  called  him  the 
4  Open-hand.'  I  wish,  now,  I  was  as  I  used  to  be,  in 
order  that  I  might  send  in  the  lady  a  few  delicate 
martens  for  her  tippets  and  overcoats,  just  to  show 
you  that  I  know  how  to  give  courtesy  for  courtesy. 
But  do  not  expect  the  same,  for  I  am  too  old  to 
give  a  promise.  It  will  all  be  just  as  the  Lord  shall 
see  fit.  I  can  offer  you  nothing  else,  for  I  haven't 
liv'd  so  long  in  the  wilderness,  not  to  know  the  scru 
pulous  ways  of  a  gentleman." 

Harkee,  old  trapper,"  cried  the  bee-hunter,  strik 
ing  his  own  hand  into  the  open  palm  which  the  other 
had  extended,  with  a  report  but  little  below  the 
crack  of  a  rifle,  "  I  have  just  two  things  to  say.  First 
ly,  that  the  captain  has  told  you  my  meaning  better 
than  I  can  myself;  and  secondly,  if  you  want  a  skin, 
either  for  your  private  use  or  to  send  abroad,  I  have 
it  at  your  service,  and  that  is  the  skin  of  one  Paul 
Hover." 

The  old  man  returned  the  grasp  he  received,  and 
opened  his  mouth  to  the  utmost,  in  his  extraordinary, 
silent  laugh. 

"  You  couldn't  have  given  such  a  squeeze,  boy, 
when  the  Teton  squaws  were  about  you  with  the 
knives  !"  he  said.  "  Ah !  you  are  in  your  prime,  and 
in  your  vigour  and  happiness,  if  honesty  lies  in  your 
path."  Then  the  expression  of  his  rugged  features 
suddenly  changed  to  a  look  of  seriousness  and  thought. 
"  Come  hither,  lad,"  he  said,  leading  the  bee-hunter 
by  a  button  to  the  land,  and  speaking  apart  in  a  tone 
2U2 


510  THE    PRAIRIE. 

of  admonition  and  confidence,  "much  has  passed 
atween  us  on  the  pleasures  and  respectableness  of  a 
life  in  the  woods  or  on  the  borders.  I  do  not  now 
mean  to  say  that  all  you  have  heard  is  not  true ;  but 
different  tempers  call  for  different  employments.  You 
have  taken  to  your  bosom,  there,  a  good  and  kind 
child,  and  it  has  become  your  duty  to  consider  her, 
as  well  as  yourself,  in  setting  forth  in  life.  You  are 
a  little  given  to  skirting  the  settlements,  but,  to  my 
poor  judgment,  the  girl  would  be  more  like  a  flour 
ishing  flower  in  the  sun  of  a  clearing,  than  in  the 
winds  of  a  prairie.  Therefore  forget  any  thing  you 
may  have  heard  from  me,  which  is  nevertheless  true, 
and  turn  your  mind  on  the  ways  of  the  inner  country." 

Paul  could  only  answer  with  a  squeeze,  that  would 
have  brought  tears  from  the  eyes  of  most  men,  but 
which  produced  no  other  effect  on  the  indurated 
muscles  of  the  other,  than  to  make  him  laugh  and 
nod,  as  if  he  would  say  he  received  the  same  as  a 
pledge  that  the  bee-hunter  would  remember  his  ad 
vice.  The  trapper  then  turned  away  from  his  rough 
but  warm-hearted  companion,  and  having  called 
Hector  from  the  boat,  he  seemed  anxious  still  to 
utter  a  few  words  more — 

44  Captain,"  he  at  length  resumed,  44 1  know  when 
a  poor  man  talks  of  credit,  he  deals  in  a  delicate  word 
according  to  the  fashions  of  the  world ;  and  when  an 
old  man  talks  of  life,  he  speaks  of  that  which  he  may 
never  see ;  nevertheless  there  is  one  thing  I  will  say, 
and  that  is  not  so  much  on  my  own  behalf  as  on  that 
of  another  person.  Here  is  Hector,  a  good  and  faith 
ful  pup,  that  has  long  outlived  the  time  of  a  dog,  and 
like  his  master  he  looks  more  to  comfort  now,  than 
to  any  deeds  in  running.  But  the  creatur'  has  his 
feelings  as  well  as  a  Christian.  He  has  consorted 
latterly  with  his  kinsman,  there,  in  such  a  sort  as  to 
find  great  pleasure  in  his  company,  and  I  will  acknow 
ledge  that  it  touches  my  feelings  to  part  the  pair  so 
soon.  Tf  you  will  set  a  value  on  your  hound,  1  will 


THE    PRAIRIE.  511 

endeavour  to  send  it  to  you  in  the  spring,  more  espe 
cially  should  them  same  traps  come  safe  to  hand  ;  or, 
if  you  dislike  parting  with  the  animal  altogether,  1 
will  just  ask  you  for  his  loan  through  the  winter.  I 
think  I  can  see  my  pup  will  not  last  beyond  that  time, 
for  I  have  judgment  in  these  matters,  since  many  is 
the  friend,  both  hound  and  Red-skin,  that  I  have  seen 
depart  in  my  day,  though  the  Lord  hath  not  yet  seen 
fit  to  order  his  angels  to  sound  forth  my  name." 

"  Take  him,  take  him,"  cried  Middleton  ;  "  take 
all  or  any  thing  !" 

The  old  man  whistled  the  younger  dog  to  the  land  ; 
and  then  be  proceeded  to  the  final  adieus.  Little  was 
said  on  either  side.  The  trapper  took  each  person 
solemnly  by  the  hand,  and  uttered  something  friendly 
and  kind  to  all.  Middleton  was  perfectly  speechless, 
and  was  driven  to  affect  busying  himself  among  the 
baggage.  Paul  whistled  with  all  his  might,  and  even 
Obed  took  his  leave  with  an  effort  that  bore  the  ap 
pearance  of  a  desperate  philosophical  resolution. 
When  he  had  made  the  circuit  of  the  whole,  the  old 
man  with  his  own  hands  shoved  the  boat  into  the  cur 
rent,  wishing  God  to  speed  them.  Not  a  word  was 
spoken,  nor  a  stroke  of  the  oar  given,  until  the  trav 
ellers  had  floated  past  a  knoll  that  hid  the  trapper 
from  their  view.  He  was  last  seen  standing  on  the 
low  point,  leaning  on  his  rifle,  with  Hector  crouched 
at  his  feet  and  the  younger  dog  frisking  along  the  sands 
in  the  playfulness  of  youth  and  vigour. 


CHAPTER  XXXIY. 

—  u  Methought,  I  heard  a  voice  —  " 

Shaksptare. 

THE  water-courses  were  at  their  height,  and  the 
boat  went  down  the  swift  current  like  a  bird.  The 
passage  proved  prosperous  and  speedy.  In  less  than 
a  third  of  the  time,  that  would  have  been  necessary 


512  THE    PRAIRIE. 

for  the  same  journey  by  land,  it  was  accomplished 
by  the  favour  of  those  rapid  rivers.  Issuing  from 
one  stream  into  another,  as  the  veins  of  the  human 
body  communicate  with  the  larger  channels  of  life, 
they  soon  entered  the  grand  artery  of  the  western 
waters,  and  landed  safely  at  the  very  door  of  the 
father  of  Inez. 

The  joy  of  Don  Augustin,  and  the  embarrassment 
of  the  worthy  father  Ignatius,  may  easily  be  imagined. 
The  former  wept  and  returned  thanks  to  Heaven ; 
the  latter  returned  thanks  and  did  not  weep.  The 
mild  provincials  were  too  happy  to  raise  any  ques 
tions  on  the  character  of  so  joyful  a  restoration,  and, 
by  a  sort  of  general  consent,  it  soon  came  to  be  an 
admitted  opinion  that  the  bride  of  Middleton  had 
been  kidnapped  by  a  villain,  and  that  she  was  re 
stored  to  her  friends  by  human  agency.  There  were, 
as  respects  this  belief,  certainly  a  few  sceptics,  but 
then  they  enjoyed  their  doubts  in  private,  with  that 
species  of  sublimated  and  solitary  gratification  that  a 
miser  finds  in  gazing  at  his  growing  but  useless  hoards. 

In  order  to  give  the  worthy  priest  something  to 
employ  his  mind,  Middleton  made  him  the  instru 
ment  of  uniting  Paul  and  Ellen,  The  former  con 
sented  to  the  ceremony,  because  he  found  that  all  his 
friends  laid  great  stress  on  the  matter ;  but  shortly 
after  he  led  his  bride  into  the  plains  of  Kentucky, 
under  the  pretence  of  paying  certain  customary  visits 
to  sundry  members  of  the  family  of  Hover.  While 
there  he  took  occasion  to  have  the  marriage  properly 
solemnized  by  a  justice  of  the  peace  of  his  acquaint 
ance,  in  whose  ability  to  forge  the  nuptial  chain  he 
had  much  more  faith  than  in  that  of  all  the  gownsmen 
within  the  pale  of  Rome.  Ellen,  who  appeared  con 
scious  that  some  extraordinary  preventives  might  prove 
necessary  to  keep  one  of  so  erratic  a  temper  as  nei 
partner  within  the  proper  matrimonial  boundaries, 
raised  no  objections  to  these  double  knots,  and  therer 
fore  all  parties  were  content. 


THE  PRAIRIE.  513 

The  local  importance  Middleton  had  acquired,  by 
his  union  with  the  daughter  of  so  affluent  a  proprietor 
as  Don  Augustin,  united  to  his  personal  merit,  attract 
ed  the  attention  of  the  government.  He  was  soon 
employed  in  various  situations  of  responsibility  and 
confidence,  which  both  served  to  elevate  his  charac 
ter  in  the  public  estimation,  and  to  afford  the  means 
of  patronage.  The  bee-hunter  was  among  the  first 
of  those  to  whom  he  saw  fit  to  extend  his  favour.  It 
was  far  from  difficult  to  find  situations  suited  to  the 
abilities  of  Paul,  in  the  state  of  society  that  existed 
three-and-twenty  years  ago  in  those  regions.  The 
efforts  of  Middleton  and  Inez,  in  behalf  of  her  hus 
band,  were  warmly  and  sagaciously  seconded  by  Ellen, 
and  they  succeeded,  in  process  of  time,  in  working  a 
great  and  beneficial  change  in  his  character.  He  soon 
became  a  landholder,  then  a  prosperous  cultivator  of 
the  soil,  and  shortly  after  a  town-officer.  By  that 
progressive  change  in  fortune,  which  in  the  republic 
is  often  seen  to  be  so  singularly  accompanied  by  a 
corresponding  improvement  in  knowledge  and  self- 
respect,  he  went  on  from  step  to  step,  until  his  wife 
enjoyed  the  maternal  delight  of  seeing  her  children 
placed  far  beyond  the  danger  of  returning  to  that  state 
from  which  both  their  parents  had  issued.  Paul  is 
actually  at  this  moment  a  member  of  the  lower 
branch  of  the  legislature  of  the  State  where  he  has 
long  resided ;  and  he  is  even  notorious  for  making 
speeches  that  have  a  tendency  to  put  that  deliberative 
body  in  a  good  humour,  and  which,  as  they  are  based 
on  great  practical  knowledge  suited  to  the  condition 
of  the  country,  possess  a  merit  that  is  much  wanted 
in  many  more  subtle  and  fine-spun  theories,  that  are 
daily  heard  in  similar  assemblies  to  issue  from  the 
lips  of  certain  instinctive  politicians.  But  all  these 
happy  fruits  were  the  results  of  much  care  and  of  a 
long  period  of  time.  Middleton,  who  fills,  with  a 
credit  better  suited  to  the  difference  in  their  educa 
tions,  a  seat  in  a  far  higher  branch  of  legislative 


514  THE    PRAIRIE. 

authority,  is  the  source  from  which  we  have  derived 
most  of  the  intelligence,  necessary  to  compose  our 
legend.  In  addition  to  what  he  has  related  of  Paul, 
and  of  his  own  continued  happiness,  he  has  added  a 
short  narrative  of  what  took  place  in  a  subsequent 
visit  to  the  prairies,  with  which,  as  we  conceive  it  a 
suitable  termination  to  what  has  gone  before,  we 
shall  judge  it  wise  to  conclude  our  present  labours. 

In  the  autumn  of  the  year,  that  succeeded  the  sea 
son,  in  which  the  preceding  events  occurred,  the 
young  man,  still  in  the  military  service  of  the  coun 
try,  found  himself  on  the  waters  of  the  Missouri,  at  a 
point  not  far  remote  from  the  Pawnee  towns.  Re 
leased  from  any  immediate  calls  of  duty,  and  strongly 
urged  to  the  measure  by  Paul,  who  was  in  his  com 
pany,  he  determined  to  take  horse  and  cross  the 
country  to  visit  the  partisan,  and  to  inquire  into  the 
fate  of  his  friend  the  trapper.  As  his  train  was  suited  to 
his  functions  and  rank,  the  journey  was  effected,  with 
the  usual  privations  and  hardships  that  are  the  ac 
companiments  of  all  travelling  in  a  wild,  but  without 
any  of  those  dangers  and  alarms  that  marked  his 
former  passage  through  the  same  regions.  When 
within  a  proper  distance,  he  despatched  an  Indian 
runner,  belonging  to  a  friendly  tribe,  to  announce 
the  approach  of  himself  and  party,  continuing  his 
route  at  a  deliberate  pace,  in  order  that  the  intelli 
gence  might,  as  was  customary,  precede  his  arrival. 
To  the  surprise  of  the  travellers  their  message  was 
unanswered.  Hour  succeeded  hour,  and  mile  after 
mile  was  passed,  without  bringing  either  the  signs  of 
an  honourable  reception,  or  of  the  more  simple  as 
surances  of  a  friendly  welcome.  At  length  the  caval 
cade,  at  whose  head  rode  Middleton  and  Paul,  de 
scended  from  the  elevated  plain,  on  which  they  had 
long  been  journeying,  to  a  luxuriant  bottom,  that 
brought  them  to  the  level  of  the  village  of  the  Loups. 
The  sun  was  beginning  to  fall,  and  a  sheet  of  golden 
light  was  spread  over  the  placid  plain,  lending  to  its 


THE    PRAIRIE.  515 

even  surface  those  glorious  tints  and  hues,  that  the 
human  imagination  is  apt  to  conceive  forms  the  em 
bellishment  of  still  more  imposing  scenes.  The  ver 
dure  of  the  year  yet  remained,  and  herds  of  horses 
and  mules  were  grazing  peacefully  in  the  vast  natural 
pasture,  under  the  keeping  of  vigilant  Pawnee  boys. 
Paul  pointed  out  among  them  the  well-known  form 
of  Asinus,  sleek,  fat,  and  apparently  luxuriating  in 
the  fulness  of  content,  as  he  stood  with  reclining  ear? 
and  closed  eye-lids,  seemingly  musing  on  the  ex 
quisite  nature  of  his  present  indolent  enjoyment. 

The  route  of  the  party  led  them  at  no  great  dis 
tance  from  one  of  those  watchful  youths,  who  was 
charged  with  a  trust  so  heavy  as  the  principal  wealth 
of  his  tribe.  He  heard  the  trampling  of  the  horses 
and  cast  his  eye  aside,  but  instead  of  manifesting 
either  curiosity  or  alarm,  his  look  was  instantly  re 
turned  whence  it  had  been  withdrawn,  to  the  spot 
where  the  village  was  known  to  stand. 

"  There  is  something  remarkable  in  all  this,"  mut 
tered  Middleton,  half  offended  at  what  he  conceived 
to  be  not  only  a  slight  to  his  rank,  but  offensive  to 
himself,  personally ;  "  yonder  boy  has  heard  of  our 
approach,  or  he  would  not  fail  to  notify  his  tribe,  and 
yet  he  scarcely  deigns  to  favour  us  with  a  glance. 
Look  to  your  arms,  men ;  it  may  be  necessary  to  let 
these  savages  feel  our  strength." 

"  Therein,  Captain,  I  think  you're  in  an  error,"  re 
turned  Paul ;  "  if  honesty  is  to  be  met  on  the  prairies 
at  all,  you  will  find  it  in  our  old  friend  Hard-Heart ; 
neither  is  an  Indian  to  be  judged  of  by  the  rules  of 
a  white.  See !  we  are  not  altogether  slighted,  for 
here  comes  a  party  at  last  to  meet  us,  though  it  is  a 
little  pitiful  as  to  show  and  numbers." 

Paul  was  right  in  both  particulars.  A  groupe  of 
horsemen  were  at  length  seen  wheeling  round  a  little 
copse  and  advancing  across  the  plain  directly  to 
wards  them.  The  advance  of  this  party  was  slow 
and  dignified.  As  it  drew  nigh,  the  Partisan  of  the 


516  THE    PRAIRIE. 

Loups  was  seen  at  its  head  followed  by  a  dozen  of 
the  younger  warriors  of  his  tribe.  They  were  al. 
unarmed,  nor  did  they  even  wear  about  their  persons 
any  of  those  ornaments  or  feathers,  which  are  con 
sidered  as  much  to  be  testimonials  of  respect  to  the 
guest  an  Indian  receives,  as  an  evidence  of  his  own 
rank  and  importance. 

The  meeting  was  friendly,  though  a  little  restrained 
on  both  sides.  Middleton  jealous  of  his  own  con 
sideration  no  less  than  of  the  authority  of  his  gov 
ernment,  suspected  some  undue  influence  on  the  part 
of  the  agents  of  theCanadas,and  as  he  was  determined 
to  maintain  the  authority,  of  which  he  was  the  repre 
sentative,  he  felt  himself  constrained  to  manifest  a 
hauteur,  that  he  was  actually  far  from  feeling.  It  was 
not  so  easy  to  penetrate  the  motives  of  the  Pawnees. 
Calm,  dignified  and  yet  far  from  repulsive,  they  set 
an  example  of  courtesy,  blended  with  reserve,  that 
many  a  diplomatist  of  the  most  polished  court  might 
have  strove  in  vain  to  imitate. 

In  this  manner  the  two  parties  continued  their 
course  to  the  town.  Middleton  had  time  during  the 
remainder  of  the  ride  to  revolve  in  his  mind  all  the 
probable  reasons  which  his  ingenuity  could  suggest, 
for  this  strange  reception.  Although  he  was  accom 
panied  by  a  regular  interpreter,  the  chiefs  made  their 
salutations  in  a  manner  that  dispensed  with  his  ser 
vices.  Twenty  times  the  captain  turned  his  glance 
on  his  former  friend,  endeavouring  to  read  the  expres 
sion  of  his  rigid  features.  But  every  effort  and  all 
conjectures  proved  equally  futile.  The  eye  of  Hard- 
Heart  was  fixed,  composed,  and  a  little  anxious;  but 
as  to  every  other  emotion  impenetrable.  He  neither 
spoke  himself  nor  seemed  willing  to  invite  his  visiters 
to  speak ;  it  was  therefore  necessary  for  Middleton  to 
adopt  the  patient  manners  of  his  companions  and  to 
await  the  issue  for  the  explanation. 

When  they  entered  the  town,  its  inhabitants  were 
soen  collected  in  an  open  space*  where  they  were 


THE    PRAIRIE.  517 

arranged  with  the  customary  deference  to  age  and 
rank.  The  whole  formed  a  large  circle,  in  the  centre 
of  which,  were  perhaps  a  dozen  of  the  principal  chiefs. 
Hard-Heart  waved  his  hand  as  he  approached  and  as 
the  mass  of  bodies  opened  he  rode  through,  followed 
by  all  his  companions.  Here  they  dismounted,  and 
as  the  beasts  were  led  apart,  the  strangers  found 
themselves  environed  by  a  thousand  grave,  composed, 
but  solicitous  faces. 

Middleton  gazed  about  him  in  growing  concern, 
for  no  cry,  no  song,  no  shout  welcomed  him  among 
a  people  from  whom  he  had  so  lately  parted  with 
regret.  His  uneasiness,  not  to  say  apprehensions  was 
shared  by  all  his  followers.  Determination  and  stern 
resolution  began  to  assume  the  place  of  anxiety  in 
every  eye,  as  each  man  silently  felt  for  his  arms  and 
assured  himself,  that  his  several  weapons  were  in  a 
state  for  instant  and  desperate  service.  But  there 
was  no  answering  symptom  of  hostility  on  the  part 
of  their  hosts.  Hard-Heart  beckoned  for  Middleton 
and  Paul  to  follow,  leading  the  way  towards  the  cluster 
of  forms,  that  occupied  the  centre  of  the  circle.  Here 
the  visiters  found  a  solution  of  all  the  movements, 
which  had  given  them  so  much  reason  for  appre 
hension. 

The  trapper  was  placed  on  a  rude  seat,  which  had 
been  made  with  studied  care,  to  support  his  frame  in 
an  upright  and  easy  attitude.  The  first  glance  of  the 
eye  told  his  former  friends,  that  the  old  man  was  at 
length  called  upon  to  pay  the  last  tribute  of  nature. 
His  eye  was  glazed  and  apparently  as  devoid  of  sight 
as  of  expression.  His  features  were  a  little  more 
sunken  and  strongly  marked  than  formerly ;  but  there, 
all  change,  so  far  as  exterior  was  concerned,  might  be 
said  to  have  ceased.  His  approaching  end  was  not 
to  be  ascribed  to  any  positive  disease,  but  had  been 
a  gradual  and  mild  decay  of  the  physical  powers. 
Life,  it  is  true,  still  lingered  in  his  system,  but  it  was 
as  though  at  times  entirely  ready  to  depart,  and  then 

2  A 


518  THE    PRAIRIE. 

it  would  appear  to  reanimate  the  sinking  form,  as  if 
reluctant  to  give  up  the  possession  of  a  tenement,  that 
had  never  been  undermined  by  vice  or  corrupted  by 
disease.  It  would  have  been  no  violent  fancy  to-  have 
imagined,  that  the  spirit  fluttered  about  the  placid 
lips  of  the  old  woodsman,  reluctant  to  depart  from 
a  shell,  that  had  so  long  given  it  an  honest  and  an 
honourable  shelter. 

His  body  was  so  placed  as  to  let  the  light  of  the 
setting  sun  fall  full  upon  the  solemn  features.  His 
head  was  bare,  the  long,  thin  locks  of  gray  fluttering 
lightly  in  the  evening  breeze.  His  rifle  lay  upon  his 
knee,  and  the  other  accoutrements  of  the  chase  were 
placed  at  his  side  within  reach  of  his  hand.  Between 
his  feet  lay  the  figure  of  a  hound,  with  its  head  crouch 
ing  to  the  earth  as  if  it  slumbered,  and  so  perfectly 
easy  and  natural  was  its  position,  that  a  second  glance 
was  necessary  to  tell  Middleton,  he  saw  only  the  skin 
of  Hector,  stuffed  by  Indian  tenderness  and  ingenuity 
in  a  manner  to  represent  the  living  animal.  His  own 
dog  was  playing  at  a  distance  with  the  child  of  Tache- 
chana  and  Mahtoree.  The  mother  herself  stood  at 
hand,  holding  in  her  arms  a  second  offspring,  that 
might  boast  of  a  parentage  no  less  honourable,  than 
that  which  belonged  to  the  son  of  Hard-Heart.  Le 
Balafre  was  seated  nigh  the  dying  trapper,  with  every 
mark  about  his  person,  that  the  hour  of  his  own  de 
parture  was  not  far  distant.  The  rest  of  those  imme 
diately  in  the  centre  were  aged  men,  who  had  appa 
rently  drawn  near,  in  order  to  observe  the  manner 
in  which  a  just  and  fearless  warrior  would  depart  on 
the  greatest  of  his  journeys. 

The  old  man  was  reaping  the  rewards  of  a  life  so 
remarkable  for  its  temperance  and  activity  in  a  tran 
quil  and  placid  death.  His  vigour  had  in  a  manner 
endured  to  the  very  last.  Decay,  when  it  did  occur, 
was  rapid,  but  free  from  pain.  He  had  hunted  with 
the  tribe  in  the  spring,  and  even  throughout  most  of 
the  summer,  when  his  limbs  suddenly  refused  to  per- 


THE    PRAIRIE. 


519 


form  their  customary  offices.  A  sympathizing  weak 
ness  took  possession  of  all  his  faculties,  and  the  Paw 
nees  believed,  that  they  were  going  to  lose,  in  this 
unexpected  manner,  a  sage  and  counsellor,  whom  they 
had  begun  both  to  love  and  respect.  But  as  we  have 
already  said,  the  immortal  occupant  seemed  unwilling 
to  desert  its  tenement.  The  lamp  of  life  flickered 
without  becoming  extinguished.  On  the  morning  of 
the  day,  on  which  Middleton  arrived,  there  was  a 
general  reviving  of  the  powers  of  the  whole  man. 
His  tongue  was  again  heard  in  wholesome  maxims, 
and  his  eye  from  time  to  time  recognized  the  persons 
of  his  friends.  It  merely  proved  to  be  a  brief  and 
final  intercourse  with  the  world  on  the  part  of  one, 
who  had  already  been  considered,  as  to  mental  com 
munion,  to  have  taken  his  leave  of  it  forever. 

When  he  had  placed  his  guests  in  front  of  the  dying 
man,  Hard-Heart,  after  a  pause,  that  proceeded  as 
much  from  sorrow  as  decorum,  leaned  a  little  for 
ward  and  demanded — 

"  Does  my  father  hear  the  words  of  his  son  ?  " 

"  Speak,"  returned  the  trapper,  in  tones  that  issued 
from  his  inmost  chest,  but  which  were  rendered  aw 
fully  distinct  by  the  death-like  stillness,  that  reigned 
in  the  place.  "  I  am  about  to  depart  from  the  village 
of  the  Loups,  and  shortly  shall  be  beyond  the  reach 
of  your  voice." 

"  Let  the  wise  chief  have  no  cares  for  his  journey," 
continued  Hard-Heart  with  an  earnest  solicitude,  that 
led  him  to  forget,  for  the  moment,  that  others  were 
waiting  to  address  his  adopted  parent ;  "  a  hundred 
Loups  shall  clear  his  path  from  briars." 

"  Pawnee,  I  die  as  I  have  lived,  a  Christian  man," 
resumed  the  trapper  with  a  force  of  voice,  that  had 
the  same  startling  effect  on  his  hearers,  as  is  produc 
ed  by  the  trumpet,  when  its  blast  rises  suddenly  and 
freely  on  the  air  after  its  obstructed  sounds  have  long 
been  heard  struggling  in  the  distance ;  "  as  I  came 
into  life,  so  will  I  leave  it.  Horses  and  arms  are  not 


520  THE   PRAIRIE. 

needed  to  stand  in  the  presence  of  the  Great  Spirit 
of  my  people.  He  knows  my  colour,  and  according 
to  my  gifts  will  he  judge  my  deeds." 

"  My  father  will  tell  my  young  men,  how  many 
Mingoes  he  has  struck,  and  what  acts  of  valour  and 
justice  he  has  done,  that  they  may  know  how  to 
imitate  him." 

"  A  boastful  tongue  is  not  heard  in  the  heaven  of  a 
white  man !"  solemnly  returned  the  old  man.  "What 
I  have  done  He  has  seen.  His  eyes  are  always  open. 
That,  which  has  been  well  done,  will  he  remember ; 
wherein  I  have  been  wrong  will  he  not  forget  to 
chastise,  though  he  will  do  the  same  in  mercy.  No, 
my  son ;  a  Pale-face  may  not  sing  his  own  praises, 
and  hope  to  have  them  acceptable  before  his  God !" 

A  little  disappointed,  the  young  partisan  stepped 
modestly  back,  making  way  for  the  recent  comers  to 
approach.  Middleton  took  one  of  the  meagre  hands 
of  the  trapper,  and  struggling  to  command  his  voice, 
he  succeeded  in  announcing  his  presence.  The  old 
man  listened  like  one  whose  thoughts  were  dwelling 
on  a  very  different  subject,  but  when  the  other  had 
succeeded  in  making  him  understand,  that  he  was 
present,  an  expression  of  joyful  recognition  passed 
over  his  faded  features — 

"  I  hope  you  have  not  so  soon  forgotten  those 
whom  you  so  materially  served !"  Middleton  con 
cluded.  "  It  would  pain  me  to  think  my  hold  on 
your  memory  was  so  light." 

"  Little  that  I  have  ever  seen  is  forgotten,"  return 
ed  the  trapper ;  "  I  am  at  the  close  of  many  weary 
days,butthere  is  notone  among  them  all,  that  I  could 
wish  to  overlook.  I  remember  you  with  the  whole  of 
your  company ;  ay,  and  your  gran'ther,  that  went 
before  you.  I  am  glad,  that  you  have  come  back 
upon  these  plains,  for  I  had  need  of  one  who  speaks 
the  English,  since  little  faith  can  be  put  in  the  tra 
ders  of  these  regions.  Will  you  do  a  favour,  lad, 
to  an  old  and  dying  man  ?" — 


THE  PRAIRIE.  521 

"  Name  it,"  said  Middleton ;  "  it  shall  be  done." 

"  It  is  a  far  journey  to  send  such  trifles,"  resumed 
the  old  man,  who  spoke  at  short  intervals  as  strength 
and  breath  permitted  ;  "  A  far  and  weary  journey  is 
the  same ;  but  kindnesses  and  friendships  are  things 
not  to  be  forgotten.  There  is  a  settlement  among 
the  Otsego  hills—" 

"  I  know  the  place,"  interrupted  Middleton,  ob 
serving  that  he  spoke  with  increasing  difficulty ;  "  pro 
ceed  to  tell  me,  what  you  would  have  done." 

"  Take  then  this  rifle,  and  pouch  and  horn,  and 
send  them  to  the  person,  whose  name  is  graven  on 
the  plates  of  the  stock.  A  trader  cut  the  letters  with 
his  knife,  for  it  is  long,  that  I  have  intended  to  send 
him  such  a  token  of  my  love !" 

"  It  shall  be  so.  Is  there  more  that  you  could  wish  ?" 

"  Little  else  have  I  to  bestow.  My  traps  I  give  to 
my  Indian  son  ;  for  honestly  and  kindly  has  he  kept 
his  faith.  Let  him  stand  before  me." 

Middleton  explained  to  the  chief,  what  the  trapper 
had  said,  and  relinquished  his  own  place  to  the  other. 

"  Pawnee,"  continued  the  old  man,  always  changing 
his  language  to  suit  the  person  he  addressed,  and  not 
unfrequently  according  to  the  ideas  he  expressed,  "  it 
is  a  custom  of  my  people  for  the  father  to  leave  his 
blessing  with  the  son,  before  he  shuts  his  eyes  forever. 
This  blessing  1  give  to  you ;  take  it,  for  the  prayers 
of  a  Christian  man  will  never  make  the  path  of  a  just 
warrior,  to  the  blessed  prairies,  either  longer  or  more 
tangled.  May  the  God  of  a  white  man  look  on  your 
deeds  with  friendly  eyes,  and  may  you  never  commit 
an  act,  that  shall  cause  him  to  darken  his  face.  I  know 
not  whether  we  shall  ever  meet  again.  There  are 
many  traditions  concerning  the  place  of  Good  Spirits. 
It  is  not  for  one  like  me,  old  and  experienced  though 
I  am,  to  set  up  my  opinions  against  a  nation's.  You 
believe  in  the  blessed  prairies,  and  I  have  faith  in  the 
sayings  of  my  fathers.  If  both  are  true,  our  parting 
Will  be  final ;  but  if  it  should  prove,  that  the  same 
2X2 


522  THE    PRAIRIE. 

meaning  is  hid  under  different  words,  we  shall  yet 

stand  together,  Pawnee,  before  the  face  of  your  Wah- 

condah,  who  will  then  be  no  other  than  my  God. 

\  There  is  much  to  be  said  in  favour  of  both  religions, 

\  for  each  seems  suited  to  its  own  people,  and  no  doubt 

*it  was  so  intended.     I  fear,  I  have  not  altogether  fol- 

(I  lowed  the  gifts  of  my  colour,  inasmuch  as  I  find  it  a 
I  little  painful  to  give  up  for  ever  the  use  of  the  rifle 
and  the  comforts  of  the  chase.  But  then  the  fault 
has  been  my  own,  seeing  that  it  could  not  have  been 
His.  Ay,  Hector,"  he  continued,  leaning  forward  a 
little,  and  feeling  for  the  ears  of  the  hound,  "  our 
parting  has  come  at  last,  dog,  and  it  will  be  a  long 
hunt.  You  have  been  an  honest,  and  a  bold,  and  a 
faithful  hound.  Pawnee,  you  cannot  slay  the  pup  on 
my  grave,  for  where  a  Christian  dog  falls,  there  he 
lies  forever,  but  you  can  be  kind  to  him,  after  I  am 
gone  for  the  love  you  bear  his  master." 

"  The  words  of  my  father,  are  in  my  ears,"  re 
turned  the  young  partisan,  making  a  grave  and  re 
spectful  gesture  of  assent. 

"  Do  you  hear,  what  the  chief  has  promised,  dog  ?" 
.  demanded  the  trapper,  making  an  effort  to  attract  the 
notice  of  the  insensible  effigy  of  his  hound.  Receiving 
no  answering  look,  nor  hearing  any  friendly  whine, 
the  old  man  felt  for  the  mouth  and  endeavoured  to 
force  his  hand  between  the  cold  lips.  The  truth 
then  flashed  upon  him,  although  he  was  far  from  per 
ceiving  the  whole  extent  of  the  deception.  Falling 
back  in  his  seat,  he  hung  his  head,  like  one  who  felt 
a  severe  and  unexpected  shock.  Profiting  by  this 
momentary  forgetfulness  two  young  Indians  removed 
the  skin  with  the  same  delicacy  of  feeling,  that  had 
induced  them  to  attempt  the  pious  fraud. 

"  The  dog  is  dead  ! "  muttered  the  trapper,  after  a 
pause  of  many  minutes ;  "  a  hound  has  his  time  as 
well  as  a  man;  and  well  has  he  filled  his  days  !  Cap 
tain,"  he  added,  making  an  effort  to  wave  his  hand 
for  Middleton,  "  I  am  glad  you  have  come ;  for 


THE    PRAIRIE.  523 

though  kind,  and  well  meaning  according  to  the  gifts 
of  their  colour,  these  Indians  are  not  the  men,  to  lay 
the  head  of  a  white  man  in  his  grave.  I  have  been 
thinking  too,  of  this  dog  at  my  feet ;  it  will  not  do  to 
set  forth  the  opinion,  that  a  Christian  can  expect  to 
meet  his  hound  again ;  still  there  can  be  little  harm 
in  placing  what  is  left  of  so  faithful  a  servant  nigh 
the  bones  of  his  master." 

"  None  in  the  least ;  it  shall  be  as  you  desire." 
'  "  Pm  glad,  you  think  with  me  in  this  matter.  In  or 
der  then  to  save  labour,  lay  the  pup  at  my  feet,  or  for 
that  matter  put  him  side  by  side.  A  hunter  need  never 
be  ashamed  to  be  found  in  company  with  his  dog !" 

"  I  charge  myself  with  your  wish." 

The  old  man  then  made  a  long,  and  apparently  a 
musing  pause.  At  times  he  raised  his  eyes  wistfully 
as  if  he  would  again  address  Middleton,  but  some  in 
nate  feeling  appeared  always  to  suppress  his  words. 
The  other,  who  observed  his  hesitation,  enquired  in  a 
way  most  likely  to  encourage  him  to  proceed,  whether 
there  was  aught  else,  that  he  could  wish  to  have  done. 

"  I  am  without  kith  or  kin  in  the  wide  world  !"  the 
trapper  answered ;  "  when  I  am  gone,  there  will  be 
an  end  of  my  race.  We  have  never  been  chiefs,  but 
honest  and  useful  in  our  way,  I  hope  it  cannot  be 
denied,  we  have  always  proved  ourselves.  My  fa 
ther  lies  buried  near  the  sea,  and  the  bones  of  his 
son  will  whiten  on  the  prairies — " 

"  Name  the  spot,  and  your  remains  shall  be  placed 
by  the  side  of  your  father,"  interrupted  Middleton. 

"  Not  so,  not  so,  Captain.  Let  me  sleep,  where 
I  have  lived,  beyond  the  din  of  the  settlements.  Still 
1  see  no  need,  why  the  grave  of  an  honest  man  should 
be  hid,  like  a  Red-skin  in  his  ambushment.  I  paid  a 
man  in  the  settlements  to  make  and  put  a  graven 
stone  at  the  head  of  my  father's  resting  place. £lt 
was  of  the  value  of  twelve  beaver-skins,  and  cun 
ningly  and  curiously  was  it  carved  !/  Then  it  told  to 
all  comers  that  the  body  of  such  a  Christian  lay  be- 


524  THE    PRAIRIE. 

neath;  and  it  spoke  of  his  manner  of  life,  of  his 
years,  and  of  his  honesty.  When  we  had  done  with 
the  Frenchers  in  the  old  war,  I  made  a  journey  to  the 
spot,  in  order  to  see  that  all  was  rightly  performed, 
and  glad  I  am  to  say  the  workman  had  not  forgotten 
his  faith." 

"  And  such  a  stone  you  would  have  at  your  grave  ?7" 

"  I !  no,  no,  I  have  no  son,  but  Hard-Heart,  and  it 
is  little,  that  an  Indian  knows  of  White  fashions  and 
usages.  Besides  I  am  his  debtor,  already,  seeing  it" is 
so  little  I  have  done,  since  I  have  lived  in  his  tribe. 
The  rifle  might  bring  the  value  of  such  a  thing — but 
then  I  know,  it  will  give  the  boy  pleasure  to  hang  the 
piece  in  his  hall,  for  many  is  the  deer  and  the  bird 
that  he  has  seen  it  destroy.  No,  no,  the  gun  must  be 
sent  to  him,  whose  name  is  graven  on  the  lock  !" 

"  But  there  is  one,  who  would  gladly  prove  his  af 
fection  in  the  way  you  wish  ;  he,  who  owes  you  not 
only  his  own  deliverance  from  so  many  dangers,  but 
who  inherits  a  heavy  debt  of  gratitude  from  his  ances 
tors.  The  stone  shall  be  put  at  the  head  of  your  grave.'* 

The  old  man  extended  his  emaciated  hand,  and 
gave  the  other  a  squeeze  of  thanks. 

"  I  thought,  you  might  be  willing  to  do  it,  but  I  was 
backward  in  asking.the  favour,"  he  said,  "  seeing  that 
you  are  not  of  my  kin.  Put  no  boastful  words  on 
the  same,  but  just  the  name,  the  age  and  the  time  of 
the  death,  with  something  from  the  holy  book  ;  no 
more,  no  more.  My  name  will  then  not  be  altogether 
lost  on  'arth ;  I  need  no  more." 

Middleton  intimated  his  assent,  and  then  followed 
a  pause,  that  was  only  broken  by  distant  and  broken 
sentences  from  the  dying  man.  He  appeared  now 
to  have  closed  his  accounts  with  the  world,  and  to 
await  merely  for  the  final  summons  to  quit  it.  Mid 
dleton  and  Hard-Heart  placed  themselves  on  the 
opposite  sides  of  his  seat  and  watched  with  melan 
choly  solicitude  the  variations  of  his  countenance. 
For  two  hours  there  was  no  very  sensible  alteration. 


THE    PRAIRIE.  525 

The  expression  of  his  faded  and  time-worn  features 
was  that  of  a  calm  and  dignified  repose.  From  time 
to  time  he  spoke,  uttering  some  brief  sentence  in  the 
way  of  advice,  or  asking  some  simple  questions  con 
cerning  those  in  whose  fortunes  he  still  took  a  friend 
ly  interest.  During  the  whole  of  that  solemn  and  anx 
ious  period  each  individual  of  the  tribe  kept  his  place 
in  the  most  self-restrained  patience.  When  the  old 
man  spoke,  all  bent  their  heads  to  listen ;  and  when 
his  words  were  uttered,  they  seemed  to  ponder  on 
their  wisdom  and  usefulness. 

As  the  flame  drew  nigher  to  the  socket,  his  voice 
was  hushed,  and  there  were  moments,  when  his  at 
tendants  doubted  whether  he  still  belonged  to  the 
living.  Middleton,  who  watched  each  wavering 
expression  of  his  weather-beaten  visage,  with  the  in 
terest  of  a  keen  observer  of  human  nature,  softened 
by  the  tenderness  of  personal  regard,  fancied  he  could 
read  the  workings  of  the  old  man's  soul  in  the 
strong  lineaments  of  his  countenance.  Perhaps  what 
the  enlightened  soldier  took  for  the  delusion  of  mis 
taken  opinion  did  actually  occur,  for  who  has  return 
ed  from  that  unknown  world  to  explain  by  what  forms 
and  in  what  manner,  he  was  introduced  into  its  awful 
precincts  !  Without  pretending  to  explain  what  must 
ever  be  a  mystery  to  the  quick,  we  shall  simply  relate 
facts  as  they  occurred. 

The  trapper  had  remained  nearly  motionless  for  an 
hour.  His  eyes,  alone,  had  occasionally  opened  and 
shut.  When  opened,  his  gaze  seemed  fastened  on  the 
clouds,  which  hung  around  the  western  horizon,  re 
flecting  the  bright  colours,  and  giving  form  and  love 
liness  to  the  glorious  tints  of  an  American  sunset. 
The  hour — the  calm  beauty  of  the  season — the  occa 
sion,  all  conspired  to  fill  the  spectators  with  solemn 
awe.  Suddenly,  while  musing  on  the  remarkable  posi 
tion,  in  which  he  was  placed,  Middleton  felt  the  hand, 
which  he  held,  grasp  his  own  with  incredible  power, 
and  the  old  man  supported  on  either  side  by  his  friends, 


526  THE    PRAIRIE. 

rose  upright  to  his  feet.  For  a  single  moment  he  look 
ed  about  him,  as  if  to  invite  all  in  presence  to  listen, 
(the  lingering  remnant  of  human  frailty,)  and  then 
with  a  fine  military  elevation  of  his  head,  and  with  a 
voice,  that  might  be  heard  in  every  part  of  that  nu 
merous  assembly,  he  pronounced  the  emphatic  word— 

"Here!" 

A  movement  so  entirely  unexpected,  and  the  air 
of  grandeur  and  humility,  which  were  so  remarkably 
united  in  the  mien  of  the  trapper,  together  with  the 
clear  and  uncommon  force  of  his  utterance,  produced 
a  short  period  of  confusion  in  the  faculties  of  all  pre 
sent.  When  Middleton  and  Hard-Heart,  who  had 
each  involuntarily  extended  a  hand  to  support  the 
form  of  the  old  man,  turned  to  him  again,  they  found, 
that  the  subject  of  their  interest  was  removed  forever 
beyond  the  necessity  of  their  care.  They  mourn 
fully  placed  the  body  in  its  seat,  and  Le  Balafre  arose 
to  announce  the  termination  of  the  scene  to  the  tribe. 
The  voice  of  the  old  Indian  seemed  a  sort  of  echo 
from  that  invisible  world,  to  which  the  meek  spirit 
of  the  trapper  had  just  departed. 

"  A.  valiant,  a  just  and  a  wise  warrior  has  gone  on 
the  path,  which  will  lead  him  to  the  blessed  grounds 
of  his  people !"  he  said.  "  When  the  voice  of  the 
Wahcondah  called  him,  he  was  ready  to  answer.  Go, 
my  children ;  remember  the  just  chief  of  the  Pale 
faces  and  clear  your  own  tracks  from  briars  !" 

The  grave  was  made  beneath  the  shade  of  some 
noble  oaks.  It  has  been  carefully  watched  to  the 
present  hour  by  the  Pawnees  of  the  Loup,  and  is 
often  shown  to  the  traveller  and  the  trader  as  a  spot 
where  a  just  White-man  sleeps.  In  due  time  the 
stone  was  placed  at  its  head,  with  the  simple  inscrip 
tion,  which  the  trapper  had  himself  requested.  The 
only  liberty,  taken  by  Middleton,  was  to  add, — "May 
no  wanton  hand  ever  disturb  his  remains!". 

THE    END. 


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